An Israeli airstrike on an apartment building in Gaza City early Saturday killed at least five Palestinians and seriously injured at least six others, Gaza's health and civil defence officials said, in the latest deadly strike since the October ceasefire. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
What happened in Gaza City?
The strike hit the al-Asala building in the Remal neighborhood of western Gaza City in the early hours of Saturday, without warning, according to medical staff at al-Shifa Hospital cited by Al Jazeera and reported by the Italian press agency LaPresse. The blast struck the residential building as residents slept; rescue teams pulled the dead and wounded from the rubble.
Health and civil defence service officials told Reuters that at least five Palestinians were killed in the apartment building strike. Al-Shifa Hospital medical staff confirmed at least five deaths and at least six serious injuries, Al Jazeera reported.
Why are strikes continuing despite the ceasefire?
The United States brokered a ceasefire in Gaza last year, but negotiators have not agreed on terms for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw its troops, Reuters reported. Israel says Hamas has been rearming and launching attacks in violation of the October ceasefire, and has stepped up strikes on the group in recent weeks. Hamas has denied trying to carry out attacks or rebuild its arsenal, and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza peace deal.
Earlier this week, an Israeli airstrike killed the head of Hamas' armed wing in northern Gaza — a strike confirmed by officials from both sides and reported by Reuters — in what was described as a significant escalation.
What is the death toll since the ceasefire?
Gaza health officials have said at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since last October's ceasefire. Israel says four of its soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza over the same period, Reuters reported. Neither figure has been independently verified.
The strike on the Remal apartment building is the latest in a pattern of near-daily deadly incidents that health officials have documented since the ceasefire took effect, as the unresolved questions of Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal keep Gaza in a state of suspended conflict.
Related: our [October 1 report on the ceasefire death toll passing 1,400](/articles/2026-10-01-gaza-strikes-ceasefire-toll-passes-1400).
