At least 73 people were killed in an Israeli attack on Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, according to the Strip’s Government Media Office.
The death toll is expected to rise, adding to the already staggering number of casualties in the region.
In a separate incident, the Israeli prime minister’s office reported that Benjamin Netanyahu’s house in Caesarea, north of Tel Aviv, was hit by a drone launched from Lebanon.
This has further heightened tensions between Israel and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have targeted two hospitals in northern Gaza, al-Awda and Kamal Adwan, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Hamas has issued a defiant statement following the killing of its leader, Yahya Sinwar, vowing not to release Israeli captives “unless the aggression on Gaza stops”, Israeli forces completely withdraw, and Palestinian prisoners held in Israel are freed.
The Gaza Strip has borne the brunt of the violence, with at least 42,519 people killed and 99,637 wounded in Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023. In contrast, Hamas’s attacks on Israel on the same date resulted in 1,139 deaths and over 200 captives.
The conflict has had a disproportionate impact on civilians, particularly children.
According to UNICEF, the death toll of children in Gaza has surpassed the total number killed in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that 44% of the fatalities are children, highlighting the devastating consequences of the conflict on the region’s young population.
The United Nations has reported that over 60% of Gazans have lost family members since October 7, 2023, and public health experts warn that the death tolls are likely undercounted.
