An Israeli airstrike on a family home in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City killed Firas and Salsabeel al-Masri along with their three daughters and son as the family slept, health officials reported on Tuesday.

The attack is the latest in a series of deadly Israeli strikes on Palestinians in the devastated enclave, which have persisted despite a US-backed 'ceasefire' signed over nine months ago that was supposed to halt hostilities.

Since the truce took effect, more than 1,150 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed by Israeli strikes, according to local health authorities. The ceasefire ended large-scale fighting but failed to stop near-daily Israeli attacks.

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, claiming it targeted a Hamas member and stating that the results of the attack are still under investigation.

Video footage obtained by Reuters showed rescue workers struggling to extinguish fires in the house and retrieving bodies wrapped in white shrouds.

Firas al-Masri's father, Abu Yusuf al-Masri, told Reuters: 'We were unable to save our grandchildren and children from the flames. About five or six were martyred, most of them children and women, without mercy and without any prior warning.'

The United Nations has condemned the ongoing strikes. 'Nine months after the announcement of a ceasefire, nowhere is safe for Palestinians in Gaza,' said Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesman for the UN human rights office.

Al-Kheetan noted that from July 13 to 20, Israeli attacks killed at least 57 Palestinians, including six children and eight women, adding that 'deliberately attacking civilians is a war crime.'

Source: www.aljazeera.com