A devastating overnight attack on a residential building in northern Gaza has left rescue workers desperately searching through rubble for survivors and missing persons.
According to Daily Mail, the Israeli strike in Beit Lahia resulted in 93 Palestinian casualties, with approximately 40 people still unaccounted for beneath the debris. The civil defence agency reported the complete destruction of a five-story residential building.
Palestinian authorities confirmed that most of the victims were women and children. The situation has been further complicated by severe shortages of medical facilities and supplies in the area, making it extremely challenging to treat the wounded survivors.
Medical Response Hampered By Limited Resources
The Kamal Adwan Hospital, which received 15 bodies from the strike, is currently operating under severe constraints. The facility's director, Hussam Abu Safia, revealed that they are treating 35 wounded individuals, primarily children, with critically limited resources.
The World Health Organization managed to assess the hospital's situation on Monday, finding only one orthopedic surgeon, one pediatrician, a chief nurse, and a small number of junior medical staff attempting to care for between 100 and 150 patients.
WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic emphasized the dire circumstances, stating:
They have found one orthopaedic surgeon, one paediatrician, a chief nurse and a handful of young doctors, and junior doctors and nurses try to attend to some 100-150 patients. This shows how difficult it is to provide any sort of aid in north Gaza.
Military Operations And Civilian Impact
The Israeli military acknowledged awareness of civilian casualties in the Beit Lahia area and stated they are investigating the incident. They emphasized that the area had been evacuated and is currently an active combat zone.
Since October 6, Israel has conducted extensive air and ground operations in northern Gaza, particularly focusing on Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanun. The military reported killing approximately 40 militants in Jabalia through various strikes over the past day.
One witness, 30-year-old Rabie al-Shandagly, described the attack's aftermath:
The explosion happened at night and I first thought it was shelling, but when I went out after sunrise I saw people pulling bodies, limbs and the wounded from under the rubble.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens With Famine Threat
The World Food Programme has issued urgent warnings about an impending famine in Gaza. The organization is calling for immediate action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe, emphasizing the need for more aid crossing points and guaranteed safety for humanitarian operations.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Gaza health authorities report 43,061 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began, while Israeli tallies indicate approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties from the initial Hamas attack on October 7 last year.
Current State Of Conflict Resolution
Efforts to resolve the conflict face significant obstacles. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains his commitment to eliminating Hamas and recovering the remaining hostages. Meanwhile, Hamas insists on conditions including a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners before considering hostage releases.
The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with the northern region facing particularly severe challenges. The combination of military operations, limited medical facilities, and restricted aid access has created a humanitarian emergency that threatens to worsen without immediate intervention.
