At least 73 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed and dozens injured late Saturday following an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential area in the Beit Lahia project, northern Gaza, according to Palestinian media reports.
The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) cited local sources saying, “Israeli warplanes carried out intense strikes on the Beit Lahia project, demolishing an entire residential block, resulting in the deaths of around 73 civilians and injuring dozens more. Many remain trapped under the rubble.”
The sources added that a drone, identified as a quadcopter, targeted tents sheltering displaced families in the courtyard of Al-Awda Hospital and struck an ambulance directly.
Palestinian health officials reported that rescue operations have been hampered by disruptions in electricity, communications, and internet services.
The Israeli military has not immediately commented on the attack.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has conducted extensive air, sea, and ground operations across Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 42,500 Palestinians and injuries to 99,637 others, the majority being children and women, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Thousands remain missing beneath the rubble.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated on social media platform “X” that on Friday, 20,000 more Palestinians were forced to flee the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza due to relentless fighting throughout the strip.
The widespread assault is part of Israel’s military response to the October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed, and 250 others were taken hostage by the group.
