A deadly Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, has left at least 93 Palestinians killed or missing, including at least 20 children, the Gaza Health Ministry reports.
The U.S. State Department called the incident “horrifying,” adding to mounting international concerns amid a rising civilian death toll in Gaza.
The Gaza Health Ministry stated that rescue crews are working under severe conditions, struggling to reach survivors trapped beneath rubble due to ongoing hostilities.
Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of Gaza’s government media office, confirmed the current death toll, which is expected to rise as more bodies are recovered.
Israel has not yet commented on the Beit Lahiya strike, and officials have previously questioned Gaza-reported casualty figures.
The UN Human Rights Office has also called for a transparent investigation, calling it one of the most deadly strikes in recent months.
The conflict has escalated since Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli casualties and over 250 hostages taken into Gaza, according to Israeli reports.
Retaliatory strikes by Israel have led to significant loss of life, with over 43,000 Palestinians reported dead, as well as mass displacement.
Additionally, a recently passed Israeli law bans the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Israel, sparking concern among Israel’s Western allies that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will deepen.