At least 87 people are reported dead or missing following Israeli airstrikes targeting multiple homes in the northern Gaza Strip. The strikes occurred overnight and continued into Sunday, causing another 40 individuals to sustain injuries in the town of Beit Lahiya. Among the casualties were two adults with their four children, as well as a woman, her son, daughter-in-law, and their four children, according to medic Raheem Kheder. The strikes resulted in the destruction of a multi-storey building and at least four surrounding houses.
The United States is currently investigating a leak of classified documents that detail Israel’s plans to attack Iran. The documents, labelled “top secret” and attributed to US intelligence agencies, indicate Israel’s preparation for a military strike in response to Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack. Despite international efforts urging for a ceasefire in Gaza following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, both Israel and Hamas have not shown interest in renewing negotiations.
The Israeli military has not yet commented on the airstrikes in Beit Lahiya but stated that operations, both aerial and ground, are ongoing across Gaza. The Director General of the Gaza Health Ministry, Mounir al-Bursh, highlighted the strain on the healthcare system in northern Gaza due to the influx of wounded individuals.
Internet connectivity in northern Gaza has been disrupted since Saturday evening, complicating the dissemination of information about the strikes. Israel has been conducting a significant operation in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza for the past two weeks, targeting Hamas militants. The north of Gaza has already faced substantial destruction and has been under Israeli control since the previous year.
In response to Hamas-led militants’ actions on October 7, 2023, where they breached Israel’s security fence resulting in casualties and abductions, Israel launched a sustained offensive in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has led to significant loss of life and infrastructure damage, displacing a vast proportion of Gaza’s population. Despite evacuation orders and displacement, many Palestinians have been unable to return to their homes in the conflict-affected areas.