The Israeli military has carried out airstrikes on at least five crowded houses in northern Gaza. The early morning attack on Thursday (November 21) resulted in many casualties. Many are trapped under the rubble, Palestinian health officials said. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
Rescue operations are underway in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, medical workers said. According to Hamas, 66 people were killed in this attack. But the bodies of most of them have not been recovered yet.
The Israeli military has not commented on the matter. They said they have been conducting operations in Beit Lahiya, Jabalia and Beit Hanoun since early last month to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping and launching attacks.
Director of Beit Lahia Kamal Adwan Hospital Husam Abu Safia said that the number of residents of the area affected by the bombing was at least 200 people. Many are still missing.
He further said that the medical personnel are rescuing the injured and treating them on site, as they do not have an ambulance that can take the injured to the hospital. Even if the injured are taken to hospital, many are dying due to lack of adequate medical equipment and specialist doctors. He alleged that this situation was caused by Israel detaining or expelling most of the doctors.
Most of Gaza is vulnerable
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNRWA), said 80 percent of Gaza is now extremely vulnerable.
He said, 'They are trapped in a cycle where there is no safe haven. People in northern Gaza are under intense siege. They have been deprived of humanitarian aid for more than 40 days.'
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Most of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced. The region is prone to famine. Palestinian health officials said that 43,922 Palestinians have been killed so far in Israel's operation.
Treaty and ceasefire talks stalled
After months of negotiations, no ceasefire agreement was reached. Mediator Qatar has suspended the negotiation process for the time being due to lack of readiness to make concessions between the two sides.
Israeli attacks continue in other areas outside of northern Gaza. An attack on the Nusairat camp in central Gaza killed 2 people. Another attack in southern Rafah killed 3 people.
