Israeli Airstrike in North Gaza Kills 73 Palestinians

AFP

Gaza: Gaza’s civil defence agency reported on Sunday that an Israeli airstrike in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, killed at least 73 Palestinians, with many others injured.

 The strike targeted a residential area late Saturday, according to Mahmud Bassal, the agency’s spokesperson, who noted that several family homes were hit and that bodies were still being recovered from the rubble.

The Gaza government’s media office confirmed the death toll, stating that women and children were among the victims in the densely populated area.

Israel, however, disputed the casualty figures provided by Gaza authorities. The Israeli military said its initial investigation showed that the numbers did not match its information, munitions used, or the strike’s target, which it described as a “Hamas terror target.”

Israel did not provide further details on the specific target.

The strike occurred as part of a larger Israeli air and ground assault on northern Gaza, initiated on October 6, with the aim of preventing Hamas militants from regrouping.

Prior to this incident, more than 400 people had already been reported killed in the region.