A three-year-old girl survived a fire after an airstrike hit a residential apartment in Gaza City’s al-Rimal neighbourhood, while her mother was killed. The strike occurred early Wednesday at a flat in the al-Amin building near Abu Talal junction, setting off a blaze that spread through the home and damaged neighbouring properties.
Civil defence crews later extinguished the fire. Two injured people, including a child, were taken to al-Shifa Hospital along with the body of 33-year-old Reem Asaad Awad. A journalist who reached the building carried the girl, Maryam Ghanem, out of the flat and handed her to people nearby for hospital care.
Family members said the child’s father had been killed earlier in the war, leaving her without either parent after her mother’s death. Witnesses described flames spreading quickly through the apartment as rescuers tried to reach those inside.
Israel said it was investigating the strike and claimed it had targeted a Hamas operative, but did not provide evidence supporting that claim. Palestinian health authorities say continued attacks since the ceasefire began have killed and injured thousands of people.
The incident adds to the danger facing families living in damaged homes and crowded neighbourhoods, where fires and airstrikes can leave residents with little time or safe route to escape.
