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Israeli strike kills five in Gaza, including four women, health officials say
A Palestinian man carries an item at the site of an Israeli strike on an apartment building in Gaza City, 3 October 2026.
Reuters
An Israeli airstrike killed at least five Palestinians, including four women, in an apartment building in Gaza City early on Saturday 3 October, health and civil defence service officials said.
Among the dead were a Christian mother, Maisa Abu Dawoud, and her daughter Mary, medics and the church said.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
The strike destroyed the apartment building and started a fire.
“We were asleep and suddenly heard continuous strikes and heavy explosions.The children woke up startled and started running and screaming,” said witness Ahmed Al-Dahdouh.
Israel, which says Hamas has been rearming and launching attacks in violation of the ceasefire, 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.
Last year's U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire calls for eventual reconstruction of the territory. But little progress has been made towards implementing a deal to end the conflict that includes terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops.
Palestinian children walk past the site of an Israeli strike on an apartment building in Gaza City, October 3, 2026.
Reuters
Funeral in Gaza
Friends, including Muslims, and relatives gathered at the Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City to pay their respects during the funeral of the Christian mother and daughter. Christians make up just 1 per cent of Gaza's more than 2 million population.
“Today is essentially the worst day of my life. I lost my mother and my grandmother today,” said Fouad Al-Najjar.
In a statement later on Saturday, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem mourned Maisa Abu Dawoud and her daughter, Mary, extending condolences to their family.
Gaza health officials estimate that 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.
Read more:
- Trump’s Board of Peace to unveil $2.45 billion Gaza recovery plan
- UNGA 81: Gaza, Ukraine and Middle East conflicts take centre stage at UN
- At least 12 killed as Gaza apartment building collapses
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