At least five people were killed and five others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in the western part of Gaza City on Saturday, Palestinian emergency services reported. Medical personnel at al-Shifa Hospital confirmed that some of the wounded were in serious condition. Rescue teams have been searching the rubble for additional victims.

The Israeli military conducted the airstrike targeting a senior Hamas figure, according to Itay Blumental, a military correspondent for the Israeli broadcaster Kan, who posted the information on the social media platform X. The individual targeted was identified as Ali al-Omari, who is reportedly a leading contender in an impending secret election for Hamas leadership within the Gaza Strip.

At this time, the status of al-Omari following the strike remains unknown. Israeli authorities have not publicly commented on the operation. The airstrike is part of ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, with Israel frequently carrying out targeted strikes against figures it accuses of involvement in militant activities.