Gaza’s Hamas-controlled health ministry has reported that at least 87 people were killed, and over 40 were injured in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday, targeting the city of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. The ministry added that some individuals were still trapped beneath the rubble after the residential area was hit.
While Israel is investigating the reported casualties, it noted that earlier figures released by Hamas were exaggerated. In recent weeks, Israeli forces have intensified bombings in northern Gaza to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping in the area.
A senior UN official has warned that the crisis in Gaza is worsening, calling for an immediate end to the war. Tor Wennesland, the UN’s peace process coordinator, condemned the ongoing attacks on civilians, emphasizing that nowhere in Gaza is safe. He called for the release of hostages held by Hamas, an end to the displacement of Palestinians, protection of civilians, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
On Sunday, Gaza’s health ministry revised the death toll from 73 to 87 after further assessments of the Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahia. Ambulance crews have been unable to reach the site, further complicating rescue efforts.
Brutal Israeli airstrike after-effects
Graphic footage showed the bodies of several children among the dead, many with extensive injuries. Other video showed numerous body bags at the hospital amid grieving relatives. Overnight footage showed rescue workers combing through tonnes of rubble in the search for survivors and victims. Daylight images appear to show that two or three substantial apartment buildings were flattened by the strike.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the strike as a “precision” operation targeting a Hamas facility. They stated that they were taking all possible measures to avoid civilian casualties. Dr. Eid Sabbah, nursing director at Kamal Adwan Hospital, said several residential buildings were completely destroyed in Beit Lahia, with dozens of people killed or wounded, many of whom remain trapped under the rubble.
Dr. Sabbah called for an end to the siege on hospitals in northern Gaza, urging a return to normal life before further devastation occurs. Images of the injured receiving treatment at Kamal Adwan Hospital have circulated on social media.
Additionally, Israel confirmed the death of Col. Ahsan Daksa, a senior army officer, who was killed in northern Gaza’s Jabalia area after being hit by an explosive while exiting his tank. Three other officers were also injured.
Israel launched a renewed military offensive in northern Gaza in early October, aiming to prevent Hamas from regrouping. Humanitarian groups warn that very little aid has reached Gaza in recent weeks, with aid deliveries significantly reduced compared to September.
UN humanitarian official Joyce Msuya described the situation in northern Gaza as “unspeakable horrors” and called for an end to the atrocities. Hamas-run authorities have reported that since the war began last October, 42,603 people have been killed and nearly 100,000 injured in Gaza.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and initiated a ground offensive in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel continued airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut on Sunday. The IDF reported striking Hezbollah’s intelligence command center and an underground weapons workshop, claiming it took measures to minimize civilian casualties by issuing warnings beforehand. Approximately 160 rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel.
In southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army reported that three soldiers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Nabatieh. Israel has not yet commented on this. While Lebanon’s army generally stays out of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, several of its soldiers have been killed in recent attacks. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has been launching attacks on Israeli positions in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.
Israel has repeatedly denied it is preventing humanitarian aid from entering Gaza – but on Tuesday the US told it to boost access within 30 days or risk having some American military assistance cut off.