Israeli Strikes Kill 73 in Gaza as Violence Escalates

At least 73 people, including women and children, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Beit Lahia, a city in northern Gaza, according to Hamas authorities. 

The strikes, which took place late on Saturday night, have left dozens injured and many trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Rescue efforts are being hampered by severed communications and internet services, Gaza health officials reported.

Israeli officials stated that they were investigating the casualty reports but dismissed the figures from Hamas as “exaggerated” and unreliable, claiming they did not align with military intelligence. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it had targeted approximately 175 “terrorist” sites across Gaza and Lebanon over the past day.

The Beit Lahia strikes come amidst Israel’s renewed military offensive in Gaza, aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping in the region. The strikes targeted densely populated residential areas, according to the Gaza government’s media office. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that an entire residential complex was destroyed.

This escalation follows another attack on the Jabalia refugee camp on Friday, where at least 33 people were killed in an Israeli strike. Humanitarian agencies have expressed growing concern over the lack of aid entering northern Gaza, warning that residents are facing “unspeakable horrors.” 

The UN’s top humanitarian official, Joyce Msuya, urged an immediate end to the violence.

In response to the ongoing strikes, Israeli forces continue to face rocket fire from Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. On Saturday, Hezbollah fired over 200 rockets into northern Israel, killing one person. 

In Beirut, Israel launched at least 12 airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, resulting in the destruction of several buildings. 

The IDF urged civilians in southern Beirut to evacuate as the strikes continued.

Amid the escalating conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu survived an assassination attempt, reportedly carried out by Hezbollah using a drone. Neither he nor his wife was injured in the attack. Iran, Hezbollah’s primary backer, was quick to endorse the claim that Hezbollah was behind the attempt.

Since the conflict began last October, over 42,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Hamas authorities. 

The violence erupted after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas in retaliation.

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