Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Kills Family of Six as They Sleep

At least 12 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks across Gaza on Tuesday

by Dave DeCamp | July 21, 2026

https://news.antiwar.com/2026/07/21/israeli-airstrike-in-gaza-kills-family-of-six-as-they-sleep/

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Tuesday killed a man, his wife, and their four children, as the IDF continues its constant violations of the US-backed ceasefire deal.

Health officials told Al Jazeera that the strike hit the al-Masri family home in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City as they slept, killing Firas and Salsabeel al-Masri and their three daughters and son.

“We were unable to save our grandchildren and children from the flames and the devastation. Around five or ​six (people) were martyred, most of them children and women, without mercy and without any prior warning,” the grandfather of the children told Reuters.

The IDF confirmed it was responsible for the strike, claiming without evidence that it targeted a Hamas member. Throughout its genocidal war, Israel has regularly targeted alleged Hamas members as they were at home with their families, using an AI tracking system known as “Where’s Daddy?” according to a report from 972 Magazine.

The al-Masri family was among 12 Palestinians massacred by the IDF in Gaza on Tuesday. Medics told Reuters that there were other attacks in Gaza City and two in central Gaza that killed six more people.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said in its daily update on Tuesday that it recorded the Israeli killing of nine Palestinians and the injury of 42 over the previous 24-hour period. Since the so-called ceasefire deal was signed in October 2025, Israel has killed at least 1,168 Palestinians and wounded 3,798.