Israeli airstrike kills civilians during Eid celebration on Gaza rooftop

On the first day of Eid al‑Adha, families gathered on a rooftop in Gaza City to celebrate the holiday. While children played in a tent and relatives shared sweets, an air‑strike struck the building, creating three holes in the terrace. Widad Al‑Husari was lifted by a missile‑induced blast, fell with her three‑year‑old son through one opening, and hung from metal rods before her husband and brothers pulled them to safety. The strike killed seven people, including two children and two women, and injured 18 others. Among the injured were a four‑year‑old niece thrown into a courtyard and an 11‑year‑old girl who lost a leg. Survivors described the scene as a “horror movie,” with fire raging beneath the rooftop and smoke filling the area.

The incident reflects the broader experience of Gaza civilians displaced by the ongoing conflict, who face constant danger from drone and air attacks despite attempts to find safe shelter. Families like the Al‑Husari’s, who had previously lost their home in November 2023, sought refuge on a rented rooftop only to be caught in another deadly strike, underscoring the vulnerability of civilians during the war.