Before dawn on October 3, 2026, explosions ripped through the Rimal district in western Gaza City. An Israeli airstrike hit the Al-Asala building. Five Palestinians died. Four of them were women. The names of Maysa Abu Dawood, a Christian, and her daughter Mary, appeared in reports from Reuters and other international agencies. The blast set the building on fire. Walls collapsed. Emergency crews rushed in, digging through debris for anyone still alive.
Palestinian medics and civil defense teams said the strike landed at least two direct hits on the apartment. Flames spread fast. The fire made rescue work harder. Ambulances took the dead and wounded to Al-Shifa Hospital. The real number of casualties was still unclear as the search went on. Anadolu Agency reported that more people might be hurt than first thought. Homes nearby also took heavy damage.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the strike in a statement on October 3. Officials called it part of a pattern of attacks on civilians and accused Israel of war crimes. International humanitarian groups have raised alarms about the safety of non-combatants in war zones. The Emirates News Agency has covered the UAE's ongoing aid to Gaza. Medical supplies and relief convoys keep coming. The UAE says it is committed to helping civilians and supporting stability in the region.
People in the neighborhood are shaken. The attack happened close to the Yazji Bakery and the Haidar Abdel Shafi roundabout. Residents say fear has grown. The National reported that these strikes disrupt daily life and put more pressure on Gaza's already strained infrastructure. Shops close. Streets empty. Power and water supplies get hit.
Across the region, the UAE keeps calling for calm and for civilians to be protected. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has repeated this message in official statements. The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) is watching for any fallout in financial markets and cross-border remittances. They stress the need to keep economic and humanitarian links open. More details on the UAE's relief work can be found at the Emirates News Agency portal.
