An Israeli airstrike on a five-story residential building in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, has resulted in the deaths of at least 34 individuals, including women and children, according to local civil defense officials. The attack, which occurred on November 17, 2024, flattened the structure, leaving many feared trapped under the debris.
Mahmud Bassal, a civil defense spokesperson, expressed concern over the diminishing chances of rescuing survivors due to ongoing Israeli artillery shelling and airstrikes in the vicinity. Residents described the area as “shaking” during the bombardment, highlighting the intense fear and chaos experienced.
The Israeli military confirmed conducting operations in northern Gaza, including Beit Lahia, targeting what it described as militant sites to disrupt Hamas activities and prevent regrouping. Israel maintains that its offensive aims to neutralize “terrorist targets.”
In addition to the Beit Lahia incident, separate attacks on refugee camps in central Gaza resulted in 15 fatalities, while a drone strike in Rafah, a southern city, claimed five more lives.
The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza continues to deteriorate. Over the past five weeks, Israel’s ground offensive has displaced approximately 130,000 people, with many unable to escape the increasingly perilous areas. The United Nations estimates that at least 75,000 individuals remain trapped in regions such as Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, facing critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
Local residents have voiced frustration over the destruction of their homes and the challenges of fleeing the violence. A woman in Beit Lahia questioned, “What have we done to you people? What harm have we caused you? We are staying in our homes. Why are you driving us out?”
Human rights organizations have condemned the scale of destruction and displacement in Gaza. A recent report by Human Rights Watch accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity by intentionally causing mass displacement.
Since Israel launched its offensive following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel, over 43,700 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israel’s operation aims to dismantle Hamas following its attack that killed over 1,200 people in southern Israel, leading to severe consequences for the Palestinian civilian population.
The United Nations reports that nearly 1.9 million people—90% of Gaza’s population—have been displaced over the past year, with 79% of the territory now under Israeli-issued evacuation orders.
