At least nine Palestinians, including four children, were killed in overnight Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, according to initial reports. The attacks occurred without prior warning while many residents were asleep, leaving them shocked and disoriented. Rescue teams rushed to the scene after fires broke out in damaged buildings, where witnesses described chaotic conditions as families, including women and elderly people, were trapped inside. Several victims suffered severe burns, medical sources said.

The strike took place amid ongoing violations of the ceasefire by Israeli forces. Gaza’s government information office reported that since the ceasefire took effect last October, Israel has breached it more than 3,000 times, resulting in at least 900 Palestinian deaths and over 2,000 injuries. Local residents said they had believed the situation was relatively calm before being awakened by explosions and destruction.

Residents now fear that the fragile ceasefire could collapse entirely, potentially leading to further escalation and violence in the coming days.