At least three Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in an Israeli air strike that hit the al-Kayali building in central Gaza City, a busy market area crowded with shoppers ahead of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha. The Israeli Prime Minister's office said the strike targeted Mohammed Odeh, a senior Hamas commander described as one of the architects of the October 7, 2023 attacks. It remains unclear if Odeh was killed.
Witnesses reported five missiles struck the building almost simultaneously from different directions. Rescue teams faced difficulties reaching the upper floors due to damage and congestion. The strike is the latest in a series of Israeli operations in Gaza since a ceasefire began on October 10, a deal that Hamas says Israel has breached by attacking civilians. Israel maintains it has the right to target Hamas members, accusing the group of failing to disarm. The broader US-led peace plan remains stalled.