An Israeli airstrike hit multiple houses and a residential building in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, on Saturday, resulting in dozens of casualties, according to doctors and officials. The Hamas media office reported that at least 73 people were killed, though official health ministry figures were not immediately available. Medway Abbas, a senior health official, confirmed the numbers.
The Israeli military stated it was investigating the incident but claimed the figures released by the Hamas media office were exaggerated, noting discrepancies with its own data regarding the munitions and accuracy of the strike, which was directed at a Hamas target.
Palestinian health officials reported that rescue efforts were being hindered by the second consecutive day of communication and internet outages. Earlier, Gaza’s health ministry reported that Israeli strikes had killed 35 Palestinians across the enclave. The Hamas media office described the situation as “a war of genocide and ethnic cleansing,” accusing Israeli forces of a massacre in Beit Lahiya.
Israeli forces have reportedly tightened their siege on Jabalia, the largest refugee camp in Gaza, deploying tanks to nearby towns and issuing evacuation orders to residents of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya, further complicating the situation.
