A senior United Nations official condemned a deadly Israeli strike on a multistory building in northern Gaza on Tuesday, as he reiterated calls for a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Palestinian enclave.
Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said the “appalling incident” in the Beit Lahiya area was the latest in a series of mass casualty incidents in northern Gaza that have raised serious concerns about violations of international law.
More than 90 people, including 25 children, were killed in the strike, according to Palestinian authorities. The US called the strike “horrifying,” and the UN said it was one of Israel’s deadliest attacks in nearly three months. Israel’s military has said it was “trying to understand” why so many people were in the area.
Palestinian health officials have described catastrophic conditions in Beit Lahiya, which they say are only worsening under Israeli bombardment. On Tuesday, Beit Lahiya’s municipality declared the city “disaster stricken” as they issued an urgent appeal to the international community to create the conditions to allow water, first aid, medical staff and other basic needs to reach the area.
