By Nidal al-Mughrabi
CAIRO (Reuters) – The health ministry in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza reported that a total of 87 individuals were killed or missing under the rubble following an Israeli attack on the town of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza on Saturday. Additionally, more than 40 people were wounded in the attack.
The Israeli military stated that they are investigating the reports of the incident, which resulted in one of the highest casualty tolls in months. Initially, they disputed the number of casualties reported by Hamas, claiming that the nature of the munitions used in the strike did not support the high number of reported casualties. They maintained that the target of the strike was a Hamas location.
Gaza’s health ministry mentioned that rescue efforts were being impeded by communication issues and ongoing Israeli military operations in the vicinity, near the border with Israel.
“Victims are still trapped under the debris, and emergency response teams are unable to reach them due to the circumstances,” the ministry stated.
The strike occurred late on Saturday night during a major operation near the town of Jabalia. Israeli troops, supported by tanks, have been working to push out remaining Hamas fighters in the area.
“Horrific scenes are unfolding in Gaza, with relentless Israeli attacks exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. I condemn the continued targeting of civilians,” posted U.N. Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland.
“Hostages must be released, displacement of Palestinians must stop, and civilians must be safeguarded,” he added.
Evacuation orders directing people south have raised concerns among Palestinians that the operation aims to clear them from the northern part of Gaza to secure Israeli control of the area post-conflict.
Israel has denied such intentions, asserting that their goal is to protect civilians and separate them from Hamas fighters.
The military announced that they have eliminated numerous armed Palestinian fighters, discovered weapons, and dismantled various military structures during the operation in Jabalia, which is home to one of Gaza’s historic refugee camps.
Residents in Jabalia reported that Israeli forces raided shelters housing displaced families and detained numerous men.
The recent death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had raised hopes for potential progress in ending the Gaza conflict, over a year after the attack on southern Israel by Hamas-led gunmen.
However, the latest incident demonstrates the ongoing intensity of the conflict in Gaza, even as Israel focuses on their operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to figures from the Palestinian health ministry, over 42,600 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s ground offensive, with many more believed to be trapped under rubble. Much of Gaza has been devastated, and a large portion of its population has been displaced.
As the fighting persists, health officials have reported severe shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies for treating patients in the remaining partially operational hospitals in the area.
Officials at the Kamal Adwan, Indonesian, and Al-Awda hospitals stated that their facilities are under siege by Israeli forces. At Kamal Adwan Hospital, officials reported that the facility came under Israeli attack.