Israeli airstrikes have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 73 individuals, including women and children, in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, according to local authorities.
Numerous others have been injured, and many remain trapped beneath the rubble following the bombardment late Saturday night, officials indicated.
Israel has stated it is investigating the casualty reports but claims the figures released by Gaza authorities are inflated and inconsistent with military data.
The recent strikes coincided with earlier reports of intense gunfire from Israeli forces near the Indonesian Hospital situated in the city.
Rescue operations in Beit Lahia face significant challenges due to disrupted communication and internet services in the area, as per Gaza health officials.
The governmental media office in Gaza reported that the airstrikes targeted densely populated residential zones, leading to the death toll of 73, a figure echoed by the local civil defense agency. Independent verification of these numbers remains unattainable.
The Palestinian news outlet Wafa cited that a complete residential complex was obliterated during the bombardments.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted that the strikes focused on a “Hamas terror target,” emphasizing efforts to minimize civilian harm.
They dismissed the reported casualty figures as exaggerated, suggesting that such sources have proven unreliable in past incidents.
Since the onset of renewed military operations in northern Gaza earlier this month, Israel’s objective has been to prevent Hamas from consolidating its presence in the region.
Israeli forces have particularly concentrated their firepower on the Jabalia area, known for its dense population and refugee camps; a strike there on Friday reportedly killed at least 33 people.
Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms, indicating that aid access has virtually come to a standstill in recent weeks. Comparatively, Israel’s own data shows a catastrophic decline in aid deliveries to Gaza compared to the previous month.
Joyce Msuya, the UN’s chief humanitarian official, expressed on Saturday that the situation for Palestinians in northern Gaza entails “unspeakable horrors” and urged an end to such “atrocities.”
Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli stated that parts of northern Gaza have been subjected to a blockade, claiming, “We allowed the civilian population to escape to safety and restricted supplies from entering the blockade-affected regions.”
He maintained that this action aligns with international law.
While Israel has refuted claims of obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza, the U.S. has warned Israel to enhance access or face potential repercussions regarding American military support.
In a related event, Israel executed at least a dozen airstrikes on Beirut on Saturday, marking the most significant assault the Lebanese capital has seen in over a week.
While damage assessments are underway, at least one multi-storey building in Beirut’s southern suburbs has been completely leveled.
The Israeli military targeted Hezbollah’s weapon storage facilities and intelligence command center during these strikes.
Hezbollah retaliated by firing approximately 200 rockets into northern Israel on the same day, resulting in casualties, including one man struck by shrapnel.
Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated there was an assassination attempt against him following a reported drone strike on his residence.
Netanyahu condemned the attack, attributing it to Hezbollah’s ties to Iran, emphasizing the danger posed to him and his family during the incident.
While Netanyahu and his wife were unharmed, Iranian state news sources have corroborated Hezbollah’s involvement in the purported attack, although Hezbollah itself has yet to comment.
The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of over 42,500 individuals and left tens of thousands injured in Gaza since the war commenced in early October.
The conflict erupted after Hamas conducted an attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken to Gaza, prompting Israel’s pledge to dismantle Hamas.
Recent developments, including the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, had incited hope in certain quarters for a potential resolution; however, Hamas officials insisted it would only strengthen their resolve, as hostages would not be returned without an Israeli withdrawal.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, affirmed that the death of Sinwar would not disrupt the ongoing “Axis of Resistance,” which encompasses various armed militias opposing Israel.
Khamenei’s statement underscored that “Hamas is alive and will remain alive,” reinforcing the ongoing tension in the region.
