A single Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Beit Lahia has resulted in the deaths of nearly 100 people, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. This incident has raised alarm amidst heightened tensions following a recent decision by the Israeli parliament to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a key provider of humanitarian aid in the region.
Palestinian rescuers, along with family members, are combing through the debris of the five-storey building, which was reportedly home to the Abu Nasr family. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the civil defense agency, stated, “The number of martyrs in the massacre of the Abu Nasr family home in Beit Lahia has risen to 93 martyrs, and about 40 are still missing under the rubble.”
The Israeli military acknowledged it was “looking into the reports” of the airstrike, while earlier claiming that its ground and air forces had killed 40 Hamas fighters in the area, losing four soldiers in the process.
Witness accounts depict a harrowing scene following the explosion. Rabie al-Shandagly, a 30-year-old local, described the chaos: “The explosion happened at night, and I first thought it was shelling. But when I went out after sunrise, I saw people pulling bodies, limbs, and the wounded from under the rubble. Most of the victims are women and children, and people are trying to save the injured, but there are no hospitals or proper medical care.”
Since October 6, the Israeli military has intensified its air and ground offensive in northern Gaza, particularly in areas like Jabalia and Beit Hanoun, as part of operations to eliminate Hamas fighters. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 43,020 deaths in Gaza, primarily among civilians. The United Nations has warned of an impending humanitarian catastrophe.
Tensions have escalated further following the Israeli parliament’s recent vote to prohibit UNRWA from operating in the occupied territories. The decision has drawn criticism from various Western allies, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressing “grave concern” and the French foreign ministry lamenting the potential catastrophic impact on civilians.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the ban could have “devastating consequences” for UNRWA’s vital work, which has provided assistance for over seven decades. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel is prepared to offer aid to Gaza, provided it does not threaten Israel’s security.
The situation remains precarious as fighting continues in Gaza and Lebanon. Amid this turmoil, discussions are ongoing regarding a potential deal to secure the release of hostages taken during a recent attack on Israel by Hamas militants. As calls for a ceasefire intensify, U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the need to end the conflict, stating, “We should end this war. It should end, it should end, it should end.”
