- At least 19 people were killed in an overnight Israeli airstrike on a residential building
- The strike targeted a three-story house near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia
- Many residents are still trapped under rubble as rescue efforts continued
- Escalation in Northern Gaza as no aid delivered for 66 days
Israeli strike in North Gaza kills 19, including children
At least 19 people were killed in an overnight Israeli airstrike on a residential building in northern Gaza, according to medical officials and Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. The strike targeted a three-story house near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal told AFP.
The building reportedly housed dozens of residents, many of whom were still trapped under rubble as rescue efforts continued. Palestinian media reported that the dead included nine children.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed conducting a strike in the area targeting a Hamas operative but questioned the reported number of casualties.
Escalation in Northern Gaza
Beit Lahia, along with nearby towns Beit Hanoun and Jabalia, remains under heavy siege, with no significant humanitarian aid delivered for 66 days, according to the United Nations. Between 65,000 and 75,000 residents are estimated to be trapped without access to food, water, electricity, or healthcare.
Healthcare facilities in northern Gaza have faced relentless attacks amid severe shortages of supplies. The UN reported that Kamal Adwan Hospital was struck four times between December 3 and Saturday, killing seven people, including four medics and a child. At least three others, including medical staff and patients, were injured.
The World Health Organization condemned the attacks on hospitals, describing them as “unacceptable” and highlighting the dire impact on the already strained healthcare system. The IDF stated it reviewed its operations and did not target or damage the hospital’s essential equipment.
