‘There is ‌no safe place’: Israeli attack kills family of six in Gaza

An Israeli military operation has resulted in the deaths of six family members in Gaza City, continuing a pattern of deadly strikes that has persisted despite a ceasefire arrangement reached over nine months prior. The airstrike targeted the al-Masri family residence in the Sabra neighbourhood, killing Firas and Salsabeel al-Masri along with their four children as they slept, according to health officials in the territory.

The incident represents one of numerous Israeli strikes that have continued throughout the ceasefire period, which was brokered with US backing in October. Since the agreement took effect, more than 1,150 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, have been killed in Israeli operations. While the ceasefire halted large-scale military campaigns, near-daily strikes have remained a persistent feature of the conflict.

The Israeli military confirmed conducting the strike and indicated it was directed at a Hamas operative, though it stated it was still assessing the outcome of the operation. Footage obtained by Reuters showed rescue personnel attempting to extinguish fires at the residence and removing bodies wrapped in white shrouds. Abu Yusuf al-Masri, the family patriarch, described the explosion occurring while his relatives were asleep and expressed despair about the absence of safety in the territory.

Mediation efforts involving Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States have been ongoing to advance a proposal for resolving the Gaza conflict, which envisions Hamas disarmament and Israeli military withdrawals. However, these diplomatic initiatives have shown limited progress. The United Nations has issued condemnations of the continuing Israeli operations, with UN human rights officials noting that Palestinians remain unsafe nine months after the ceasefire announcement and raising concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law.