Gaza rescuers say at least 73 killed in Israel strike in territory's north
The Hindu
Israeli air strike kills 73 Palestinians in Gaza residential area, sparking conflict between Gaza authorities and Israel.
Gaza’s civil defence agency said Sunday (October 20, 2024) that an Israeli air strike on a residential area killed at least 73 Palestinians in Beit Lahia in the territory’s north. Israel said it struck a “Hamas terror target”.
“Our civil defence crews recovered 73 martyrs and a large number of wounded as a result of the Israeli air force targeting a residential area... in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza,” Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency told AFP.
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“There are still martyrs under the rubble,” he added.
Mr. Bassal said residences of several families had been hit in the strike, which happened late on Saturday (October 19, 2024).
Gaza government media office confirmed the toll, saying the dead included women and children as the strike had hit a “densely populated residential area”.
Israel’s military disputed the toll figure given by Gaza authorities.