Israeli air attack on Gaza City apartment kills at least five

What Happened

An Israeli air attack struck the al-Asala residential building in the Remal neighbourhood of western Gaza City early on Saturday, killing at least five people and severely wounding at least six others, according to medical staff at al-Shifa Hospital. The dead included four women, among them an elderly Christian woman and her daughter, al-Shifa Hospital said. The attack hit without prior warning, according to Al Jazeera correspondent Hani al-Shaer, reporting from Khan Younis. Al-Shaer said the strike came in the middle of the night while residents were asleep, and described hearing fighter jets get louder before three strikes hit the apartment and killed those inside.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The strike hit Remal, one of Gaza City's most densely populated neighbourhoods and home to thousands of displaced people sheltering in makeshift camps. The attack on a multi-storey residential building at night, with no warning and civilian casualties, adds to the humanitarian burden on al-Shifa Hospital and highlights the ongoing risk to civilians in Gaza City.

Watch For

Civil defence crews were still searching the site for missing people and bodies, so the death toll may rise. Monitor for an Israeli military statement on the strike, updated casualty figures from al-Shifa Hospital, and any further air attacks in Gaza City.