An Israeli airstrike hit a five-story building in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, where displaced Palestinians had sought shelter, resulting in at least 60 fatalities, Gaza health officials reported early Tuesday. Dr. Marwan al-Hams, head of the field hospitals at the Gaza Health Ministry, shared this death toll at a news briefing, adding that 17 others remain missing.
The emergency services report indicates the casualties include at least 12 women and 20 children, with some of the children being infants.
Israel’s military, which has been conducting a major operation in northern Gaza for over three weeks to target what it claims are Hamas militant strongholds, has not yet issued a statement on this specific strike. Kamal Adwan Hospital, located nearby, was overwhelmed with injured victims from the incident, according to its director, Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya. Israeli forces reportedly raided the same hospital over the weekend, detaining dozens of medical personnel, claiming many were Hamas members.
While Israel states its strikes are aimed at Hamas militants, shelters for displaced civilians have frequently been affected, often leading to casualties among women and children.