Again Israel bombs Beit Lahiya in Gaza

After killing 93 people in an earlier single strike

The Israeli force once more struck residential houses in Beit Lahiya, Gaza, late on October 29, 2024.

According to Palestinian Civil Defense, the most recent Israeli bombing struck multiple homes owned by the Al Louh family, killing at least 19 Palestinians.

Earlier, the residents of the besieged northern town looked for survivors following an earlier Israeli raid that killed almost 100 people.

Less than a day prior, the Israeli force had destroyed a five-story building owned by the Abu Nasr family in Beit Lahiya, leaving at least 93 people dead and numerous others injured.

According to Gaza’s ministry of health, at least 25 children were among the deceased.

The United States, Israel’s principal alleged ally, described the attack as “horrifying,” while Israel’s military stated that it was “looking into the reports of the strike.”

The bombing was “appalled” by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), which called it one of the bloodiest single attacks in Gaza in almost three months.

According to the UN’s humanitarian office (OCHA), the attack on the Abu Nasr family house was one of seven “mass casualty incidents” that have occurred in Gaza in the last week alone.

The 26th day of Israel‘s siege of northern Gaza coincides with the country’s intensifying air and ground attack on Beit Lahiya.

Despite claiming earlier this year that it had eradicated the Palestinian organization that controls Gaza in the region, the Israeli military said that it initiated the attack to prevent Hamas members from reassembling in the northern part of the enclave.

Over 100,000 people are reportedly still stranded in the north without access to food or water, and many more are buried beneath the debris of damaged homes.

Rescuers are reportedly unable to reach them because of Israel’s continuous blockade and attacks.

Video from the Israeli attack on the Abu Nasr family house early on Tuesday showed a dust-covered Palestinian man trapped beneath steel bars and concrete while others attempted to break through the walls with pick axes to liberate him.

A number of blanket-wrapped bodies were on the ground outside the structure.

“There are martyrs everywhere.”

According to witness Ismail Ouaida, the Israeli attack was unexpected.

“As you can see, there are martyrs all over the place,” he said, pointing to two dead bodies under the rubble.

“[There are] bodies hanging over the walls,” he stated.

Another Palestinian in a footage verified by Al Jazeera, said she lost many members of her family.

“Both my sons with their entire families were killed.

“My unmarried daughter was also killed,” the woman said, weeping.

“And my other daughter with her five children – all killed.

“What wrong did they do?

“What did those innocent people do to be slaughtered like this?” she said.

Rabie al-Shandagly, a 30-year-old survivor, disclosed that most of the victims were women and children.

“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,” he said.

“People are trying to save the injured, but there are no hospitals or proper medical care,” he added.

Dozens of injured people reported to the Kamal Adwan hospital, the primary healthcare center for the residents of northern Gaza, to seek care.

However, the hospital’s director stated that no staff was available to care for the patients since the majority of its employees were detained by Israeli forces during a raid last week.

“The Kamal Adwan hospital and the entire vicinity is a war zone.

“The hospital is left with no resources; no medical supplies; no medical staff.

“This is because many of our specialised doctors and surgeons have been detained,” Dr Hussam Abu Safiya said.

He asked for immediate international assistance after describing chaotic scenes with sick and injured people “strewn all over” the hospital floor.

US, UN show concern

A US state department spokesman in Washington, DC, voiced alarm.

“This was a horrifying incident with a horrifying result,” Matthew Miller told reporters.

“We have reached out to the government of Israel to ask what happened here,” he added.

A UN OHCHR spokeswoman in Geneva demanded a thorough, transparent, and expeditious inquiry.

“It is imperative for Israel to allow emergency rescue services access to such sites in North Gaza.

“In some cases, rescue workers themselves have been attacked while trying to reach the injured,” Jeremy Laurence said.

The UN’s Middle East peace representative also condemned the attack.

“This horrific strike is yet another in a deadly series of recent mass casualty incidents, alongside a massive displacement campaign, in the north of Gaza that raises serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law,” Tor Wennesland said in a statement.

“I unequivocally condemn the widespread killing and injury of civilians in Gaza, and the endless displacement of the population in Gaza.”

Israel’s yearlong war has so far killed at least 43,061 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to Palestinian officials.

Report reveals that Israel has killed at least 43,061 Palestinians in Gaza so far in its year-long war, the majority of whom were women and children.

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