At least 93 people are dead or missing following an Israeli air strike on Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. The Hamas-run health ministry reported the casualties. The United States described the attack as “horrifying.”
Rescuers confirmed that a five-storey residential building was struck. Videos circulating on social media showed bodies covered in blankets on the ground. The destruction highlights the ongoing violence in the region.
The Israeli military acknowledged reports of civilian casualties in Beit Lahia. It stated that it is investigating the incident. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been active in northern Gaza for the past two weeks. Their operations have focused on Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun.
Hussam Abu Safia, the director of Kamal Adwan hospital in Jabalia, provided updates on the situation. He told AFP that children are receiving treatment at the hospital. However, the facility struggles with a lack of staff and essential medicines. “There is nothing left in the Kamal Adwan Hospital except first aid materials after the army arrested our medical team and workers,” he explained.
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed deep concern over the loss of civilian life. He called the incident horrifying. Miller noted reports of two dozen children killed in the attack. He emphasized the “tragic cost to civilians,” stating it underscores the need to end the war.
Israel argues its operations aim to prevent Hamas from regrouping. The military accuses Hamas of embedding within the civilian population, a claim Hamas denies.
Ongoing Military Operations
In a recent statement, the IDF reported that it killed 40 “terrorists” in Jabalia. Additionally, they claimed to have eliminated numerous terrorists in central Gaza over the past 24 hours. These individuals allegedly attempted to plant explosives near Israeli troops.
The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza is worsening. Hundreds of thousands of people face desperate conditions. UN human rights chief Volker Türk stated that “the Israeli military is subjecting an entire population to bombing, siege, and risk of starvation.”
Türk condemned Palestinian armed groups for operating among civilians. He labeled their actions as unacceptable, particularly as they put displaced people in danger.
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Legislative Actions and Aid Concerns
On Monday, Israel’s parliament voted to ban the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, from operating in the country. This legislation has raised alarms regarding the delivery of aid to Gaza.
Israel initiated its campaign against Hamas after the group launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in about 1,200 deaths and 251 people taken hostage.
According to the health ministry, more than 42,924 people have died in Gaza since the conflict escalated. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and fighters in its casualty figures.
International journalists, including those from the BBC, face restrictions in accessing Gaza. This lack of access makes it difficult to verify the facts on the ground. The ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis continue to draw international attention and concern.
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