An Israeli airstrike early Saturday morning on a residential apartment in western Gaza City killed five Palestinians, according to medical and civil defense officials. The strike, carried out with explosive drones, also wounded several others and sparked a fire that burned for over an hour.

The Israeli Defense Forces stated the target was Ali al-Amoudi, described as the deputy chairman of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza and a key figure involved in planning the October 7, 2023 attacks. Officials said the apartment was used by Hamas and that the results of the operation remain under review regarding whether al-Amoudi was hit. Israel has long maintained that Hamas routinely embeds its operatives in civilian areas.

Among the dead were two Christian women, Maysa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud and her daughter Mary Hafez Michel al-Najjar, according to Palestinian reports. Other victims included additional women, a child, and a young man. The attack occurred despite a ceasefire agreement in place since October 2025.

This incident fits a pattern of reported violations on both sides of the fragile truce. Gaza health authorities have attributed over 1,400 Palestinian deaths to Israeli actions since the ceasefire began. Israel continues to face threats from Hamas remnants seeking to rebuild capabilities for future attacks.

The strike highlights the challenges of enforcing the ceasefire while neutralizing ongoing terrorist threats. Hamas has a documented history of using civilian infrastructure for military purposes, complicating operations for Israeli forces acting in self-defense.