An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in northern Gaza has killed at least 34 people, including women and children. The strike took place in Beit Lahia, a town in northern Gaza, where a five-story building was completely destroyed. Local authorities fear that many more people are trapped under the rubble, with seven others confirmed injured.

The situation in Beit Lahia is dire. Mahmud Bassal, a civil defense spokesperson, said the chances of rescuing more survivors are rapidly diminishing due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling in the area.

One resident, whose family lived in the building that was destroyed, described the terrifying moment of the bombing, saying, “The whole area was shaking.” The blast caused widespread panic and fear among locals, many of whom are now struggling to survive in the midst of the chaos.

The Israeli military confirmed the airstrikes, stating that the attacks were aimed at Hamas militant sites in northern Gaza. Israel claims the goal of the airstrikes is to prevent Hamas from regrouping and carrying out further attacks. Israel argues that its offensive targets are military and not civilian structures.

In addition to the airstrike on Beit Lahia, three separate airstrikes targeted refugee camps in central Gaza, killing at least 15 people. A drone strike in Rafah, located in the south of Gaza, also left five more people dead.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening. Thousands have been displaced by the ongoing conflict, and many are unable to leave as violence escalates. The United Nations estimates that over 75,000 people are trapped in the most dangerous parts of Gaza, including Beit Lahia and nearby areas, facing shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

Human rights organizations have condemned the scale of destruction and the forced displacement of civilians. A report from Human Rights Watch accused Israel of committing war crimes by intentionally displacing large numbers of people and destroying homes.

Since Israel’s offensive began in response to the October 7 Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 people in southern Israel, the humanitarian toll in Gaza has been devastating. According to local health authorities, over 43,700 people have been killed in Gaza.

The United Nations also reported that nearly 1.9 million people—about 90% of Gaza’s population—have been displaced in the past year. As violence continues, many civilians are trapped with no safe place to go, and the world watches as the destruction unfolds.