Israeli airstrike kills at least five Palestinians in Gaza City, officials say

Gaza City, Palestine. An Israeli airstrike killed at least five Palestinians, including four women, in an apartment building early on Saturday, health and civil defence officials said. The strike destroyed the building and started a fire.

Mother and daughter among the dead

A Christian mother, Maisa Abu Dawoud, and her daughter Mary were among those killed, medics and the church said.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

Witness Ahmed Al-Dahdouh said residents were asleep when the strikes began.

“We were asleep and suddenly heard continuous strikes and heavy explosions. The children woke up startled and started running and screaming,” he said.

“We ran out and found that our neighbour’s house was struck and there were dismembered martyrs, women, men and children. We started to pull them out, they were scattered under the rubble,” he told Reuters.

Ceasefire implementation

Israel has stepped up strikes on Hamas in recent weeks, saying the group has been rearming and launching attacks in violation of the ceasefire.

Hamas has denied trying to carry out attacks or rebuild its arsenal and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza peace deal.

Last year’s US-brokered Gaza ceasefire calls for the territory’s eventual reconstruction. However, little progress has been made towards implementing a deal to end the conflict, which includes terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops.

Funeral at Saint Porphyrius Church

Friends, including Muslims, and relatives gathered at Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City to pay their respects during the funeral of the Christian mother and daughter.

Christians make up just 1% of Gaza’s population of more than 2 million.