Deadly Israeli strike hits Gaza amid outrage over U.N. ban
An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Gaza killed nearly 100 people Tuesday, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported. The bombing, in Beit Lahia near an ongoing Israeli operation in Jabalia, drew harsh criticism as Israel’s parliament voted to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Palestinian territories.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Hezbollah announced that Naim Qassem will succeed Hasan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike last month. Qassem, a Hezbollah founder, was elected by Hezbollah’s Shura Council after senior leader Hashem Safieddine was also killed in a strike on Beirut.
Palestinian rescue teams searched through rubble in Beit Lahia, recovering bodies and helping survivors. Rabie al-Shandagly, a local resident, described the scene, saying, “People are pulling bodies, limbs, and the wounded from under the rubble.” Most victims were reportedly women and children, according to witnesses, and many injured lacked access to proper medical care.
The bombing is part of Israel’s offensive in northern Gaza, launched after Hamas’s cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The fighting has forced tens of thousands to flee amid a humanitarian crisis that has already claimed over 43,000 lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
International backlash grew after Israel banned UNRWA, a major aid provider in Gaza and the West Bank. Western allies, including the UK, France, and Germany, voiced concern, warning that banning UNRWA could devastate Gaza’s humanitarian support. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the decision could have “devastating consequences.”
The Israeli government, however, expressed readiness to supply aid that aligns with national security, while ongoing diplomatic discussions in Doha seek solutions for hostages held in Gaza. Meanwhile, Lebanese tensions escalated with Israel’s deeper incursions into Hezbollah territory, which have led to heavy losses.
As war impacts Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond, U.S. President Joe Biden has joined other leaders in calling for an end to the violence.
