Israeli strike in Gaza City kills five, wounds six

An Israeli airstrike hit an apartment in Gaza City’s al-Asala building early Saturday, killing at least five Palestinians and wounding six, according to medical staff at al-Shifa Hospital. The reported casualties included four women. The Israeli military had not immediately commented on the strike, according to one account. The strike struck a residential building in the city’s western Remal area. Local accounts described damage to the targeted apartment and neighboring parts of the multistorey building. A fire broke out, and Palestinian Civil Defence crews brought it under control, according to reports. The six wounded were taken to al-Shifa Hospital for treatment. Al-Shifa Hospital said four women were among those killed, including a Christian mother and daughter. The church identified the women as Maisa Abu Dawoud and her daughter Mary. Their deaths were also acknowledged in a statement by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The casualty count and victim details were attributed to medical staff and church representatives; the reports did not provide an independent accounting of those killed or wounded.