An Israeli airstrike struck an apartment building in Gaza City early Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least five Palestinians, including four women, according to officials from local health and civil defense services. The attack also caused a fire that destroyed the building.

Among those killed were Maisa Abu Dawoud, a Christian mother, and her daughter Mary, as confirmed by medical personnel and representatives of the local church. Friends, family members, and community figures gathered at Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City to honor the victims during their funeral, with attendees extending condolences to the bereaved family.

Eyewitness Ahmed Al-Dahdouh described the incident, saying that the strike occurred while residents were asleep. “We heard continuous strikes and heavy explosions. The children woke up startled and started running and screaming,” he said. He added that upon exiting their homes, neighbors found the apartment building struck and began retrieving people trapped under the rubble, some of whom were severely injured or killed.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, overseeing Saint Porphyrius Church, issued a statement praying for an end to the ongoing conflict and calling for the protection of civilian lives. The statement emphasized the desire for a peaceful resolution enabling Gaza’s residents to live in security.

Since the ceasefire agreement last October, at least 1,400 Palestinians have been reported killed in Israeli operations, underscoring the continuing volatility in the region. The circumstances leading to Saturday’s strike and whether it targeted any specific military objectives were not immediately disclosed. Israeli authorities did not issue an immediate comment on the incident.