An Israeli military spokesperson informed the BBC that a lethal strike was executed on a five-story residential building in Beit Lahia, situated in northern Gaza, due to the presence of an individual on the roof using binoculars to observe Israeli troops. According to the health ministry controlled by Hamas in Gaza, the attack resulted in over 90 Palestinian casualties, including 25 children, with many more either dead or missing under the debris of the collapsed structure. The military representative indicated that this strike was not premeditated and claimed that they were unaware that the building was being used as a refuge for displaced individuals. However, they noted inconsistencies between reported casualty figures and their own observations.

This attack elicited a strong reaction from the United States, Israel’s primary ally, which characterized it as a “horrifying incident” and called for clarification. Following the military’s comments to journalists, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Israel had not adequately provided the information requested by American officials. He mentioned that Israel had communicated its intent to investigate the situation publicly.

Access to Gaza for independent reporting by organizations like the BBC has been restricted by Israel, complicating efforts to authenticate on-the-ground information; thus, much of what is known relies on social media videos and accounts from witnesses. Footage shared shortly after the strike depicted numerous bodies covered with blankets and individuals collecting body parts at the site.

One survivor, Umm Malik Abu Nasr, recounted her experience on BBC Arabic’s Gaza Today program, detailing how her family’s home was destroyed and how she was rescued from the rubble. She described an earlier attack on a neighboring family’s house before their own building collapsed at around 4 AM; it had been sheltering approximately 300 displaced individuals seeking safety.

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan hospital nearby, reported receiving over 25 deceased individuals from the strike and mentioned that many others were trapped underneath rubble. He added that around 45 injured people were brought to the hospital by various means due to severe understaffing following a recent Israeli raid.

The UN’s Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland highlighted this incident as part of an alarming trend of mass casualty events amid ongoing displacements in northern Gaza, raising serious humanitarian law concerns. Since October 6th, when Israel initiated its ground offensive targeting Hamas fighters in Beit Lahia and surrounding areas, hundreds have died. The humanitarian situation remains dire for around 100,000 residents who are still trapped without adequate food or medical supplies amidst ongoing conflict.