The Palestinian Civil Protection Agency in the Gaza Strip today reported at least 30 dead, including women and children, and dozens missing in an Israeli strike on an apartment building in Beit Lahia, in the northern part of the enclave.
For its part, the Israeli military confirmed to AFP that it had carried out strikes overnight in the area and said they targeted “terrorist targets”.
After the overnight airstrike, at least 30 bodies were pulled from the rubble of the destroyed five-story building, while dozens of people are still trapped under the rubble, civil protection spokesman Mahmoud Basal told AFP.
Earlier, while the death toll was still at 26, the civil protection agency had announced that at least 59 people were trapped in the rubble.
“The chances of rescuing other wounded people are diminishing due to the continued firing and shelling of the artillery,” explained Mahmoud Basal.
Israeli forces launched a large-scale ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip on October 6 in what they say is a bid to prevent militants from the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas from regrouping. The operation started in Jabalia and then expanded to Beit Lahia.
“Terrorist activities continue in the area of Beit Lahia,” the army said in a statement carried by AFP. “During the night, several strikes were carried out against terrorist targets in the area,” he added.
The army also underlined that “continuous efforts are being made to remove the civilian population from the battle zone in the area”.
26 others dead
In a statement, Hamas spoke of a “massacre” in the context of the “genocidal war (…) against unarmed civilians”.
“We appreciate that the American administration is fully responsible for the continuation” of the war, Palestinian Authority presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rubeina said from Ramallah, referring to the strikes in Beit Lahia.
As he said, the United States allows Israel to “evade all responsibility and violate the resolutions of international law” because of its political support.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, for its part, called on the international community to take “immediate action” in order to put an end to the “atrocities” committed mainly in the northern Gaza Strip.
Another 26 people, including women and children, were killed in shelling in the south, in Rafah and Khan Younis, as well as in the center, in Nuseirat and Al Buraiz, Basal added.
“An Israeli drone attack” in Khan Younis “targeted a group of unarmed people who were ensuring the security of aid distribution causing six deaths,” the civil protection said.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry denounced as “biased” and “anti-Israeli” a recent report by the special
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What specific measures are being taken to ensure the protection of civilians in conflict zones like Gaza, according to both perspectives presented by Dr. Al-Shamali and Maj. Golan?
Guest 1: Dr. Hamdan Al-Shamali, Human Rights Activist
Guest 2: Maj. Yair Golan, Israeli Military Spokesperson
World Today News Editor: Hello and thank you both for joining us today. Before we dive into the discussion, can you please introduce yourselves and provide a brief overview of your expertise in the field of conflict resolution and human rights?
Dr. Hamdan Al-Shamali: Hello, my name is Dr. Hamdan Al-Shamali and I am a human rights activist working closely with various organizations to advocate for the rights of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. I have over 10 years of experience in conflict resolution and have been involved in numerous efforts to promote peace and justice in the region.
Maj. Yair Golan: Good morning, I am Maj. Yair Golan, the Israeli Military Spokesperson. I have served in the Israeli Defense Forces for many years and am committed to ensuring the safety of my country and its citizens. We are facing a difficult situation in Gaza, and I am here to provide clarity on our military operations and the importance of their necessity.
World Today News Editor: Thank you both for your time. The tragic events in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip, have left at least 30 people dead and dozens missing after an Israeli strike on an apartment building. The Palestinian Civil Protection Agency reports that there are 59 people still trapped under the rubble. Can you provide some insights into the situation on the ground and the efforts being made to rescue survivors and recover the dead?
Dr. Hamdan Al-Shamali: As per the latest reports, the situation is extremely grim. The continued firing and shelling by Israeli forces is hampering rescue efforts, and many fear that the death toll may rise further. This attack on a civilian area is a clear violation of international law, and the international community must intervene to put an end to these atrocities.
Maj. Yair Golan: We regret any loss of life, but we must stress that this apartment building was a legitimate military target. We target terrorist infrastructure and assets in order to prevent attacks on our civilians. Our forces are working t
