Gaza’s civil defense agency reported on Tuesday that an overnight Israeli airstrike on a five-story residential building in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, killed more than 55 people, with dozens more injured or trapped under debris. The building belonged to the Abu Nasr family, according to agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal.
Eyewitness Rabie al-Shandagly, who had taken shelter nearby, described the devastation he saw at sunrise, as people pulled bodies, limbs, and injured survivors from the rubble. “Most of the victims are women and children,” he noted, adding that aid efforts are hampered by a lack of medical facilities.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, reported 15 fatalities from the attack were brought to his hospital, with 35 additional wounded patients, primarily children, in critical need of treatment despite depleted supplies and staff shortages. Dr. Safia stated that the situation worsened last week when Israeli troops reportedly stormed the hospital during a military operation, leaving the facility with only basic first-aid materials.
The attack was condemned by Hamas, which accused Israel of “ethnic cleansing” in northern Gaza. Since October 6, Israeli forces have conducted extensive air and ground offensives in the northern districts of Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun. The Israeli military stated Tuesday that its ongoing operations aim to prevent Hamas militants from regrouping, claiming to have eliminated 40 combatants in recent strikes on Jabalia.
Thousands of residents have fled northern Gaza as the conflict continues to escalate, with the civil defense agency reporting hundreds of casualties in the region. The Israeli military has indicated it is “looking into the reports” of civilian casualties in Beit Lahia.