An apartment building in Gaza City was struck by an Israeli airstrike early Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least five Palestinians, including four women, as confirmed by health and civil defence service officials.

The Israeli military disclosed that it conducted an overnight operation targeting an apartment in Gaza in an effort to eliminate Ali al-Amoudi, identified by Hamas sources as the leader of the Hamas political office in Gaza.

It remains uncertain whether this specific strike caused the casualties of the five Palestinians. The military stated that the outcomes of the operation were being assessed, while Hamas refrained from immediate comments.

The strike led to the destruction of the apartment building and sparked a fire, according to eyewitness Ahmed Al-Dahdouh, who described the chaotic scene of discovering dismembered victims, including women, men, and children, amidst the rubble.

Among the individuals killed in the attack were a Christian mother and her daughter, as confirmed by medics. Ahmed Al-Dahdouh expressed sorrow over the loss of their lives, emphasizing their peaceful nature and the community’s fondness for them.

Israel’s recent escalation of strikes on Hamas is attributed to Hamas’s alleged rearming and breach of the ceasefire terms. Hamas has refuted claims of hostile intentions or rearmament, instead accusing Israel of jeopardizing the Gaza peace agreement.

Since the ceasefire agreement last October, Gaza health officials reported over 1,400 Palestinian fatalities from Israeli actions, while Israel acknowledged the loss of four soldiers to Gaza militants during the same period.

The conflict initiated on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-affiliated militants launched an incursion into Israel, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and hostages being taken.

Efforts towards reconstructing Gaza under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal have seen limited progress, with unresolved issues surrounding Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal.