At least 73 people, including women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the northern Gaza city of Beit Lahia, according to Hamas-run authorities in the region.
The bombing, which took place late Saturday night, has left dozens injured, with many still trapped under rubble.
Rescue efforts have been complicated by severed communication and internet services, Gaza health officials stated.
Israel responded to the casualty figures by saying they were “exaggerated” and did not align with their military assessments.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it struck “about 175 terrorist targets” in Gaza and Lebanon over the past day, but reiterated that it was making efforts to avoid civilian harm.
The Israeli military stated that their airstrikes targeted Hamas strongholds and infrastructure, but denied the accuracy of casualty figures provided by Hamas.
In Beit Lahia, a densely populated area, entire residential complexes were reportedly destroyed, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Civil defense and humanitarian organizations have raised concerns over the impact on civilians, especially as access to essential services, including medical care, remains severely limited.
The strikes follow days of intense bombardment, particularly in the Jabalia area, where at least 33 people were killed in earlier strikes.
Fighting has also escalated in Lebanon. Israel launched airstrikes on southern Beirut and other areas, including Hezbollah-controlled neighborhoods, marking one of the heaviest bombardments the Lebanese capital has seen in over a week.
At least one multi-storey building in Beirut’s southern suburbs was completely destroyed, though exact casualty figures are still being assessed. Israeli military officials stated the strikes were aimed at Hezbollah’s weapons storage and intelligence facilities.
The conflict, which reignited in early October following Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel, has claimed at least 42,519 lives in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health authorities.
The war began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel has since vowed to dismantle Hamas, launching a widespread military offensive across Gaza.
International concern continues to grow over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. UN officials and humanitarian groups have warned that the lack of aid and supplies is leading to a dire situation for civilians trapped in conflict zones.
Despite calls for greater humanitarian access, aid deliveries have significantly dropped in recent weeks.
Israel has denied deliberately blocking aid but faces increasing pressure from the United States to allow more assistance into the region.
In response to the rising death toll, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that the death of key Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed earlier in the conflict, would not weaken Hamas or the broader “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition of Iran-backed militias that oppose Israel. Khamenei reiterated that Hamas would continue to resist Israeli actions in Gaza.
The situation remains fluid, with no signs of de-escalation in sight, as Israel continues to target Hamas and Hezbollah strongholds in both Gaza and Lebanon.
