By The South Asia Times 

GAZA– At least 72 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting residential areas in Beit Lahia, a town in northern Gaza, according to local authorities and medical sources.

Gaza’s government media office reported that Israeli warplanes struck several residential buildings early in the day, leveling structures filled with displaced civilians.

"The occupation army knowingly targeted buildings housing dozens of displaced families, predominantly women and children, who had already fled their neighborhoods due to prior bombings," the office stated.

Details of the Attacks

Medical sources confirmed that Israeli fighter jets destroyed a five-story building in the Beit Lahia Project area, killing around 50 individuals and leaving many others trapped under rubble. Witnesses reported that over 70 displaced civilians were taking shelter in the building at the time of the strike.

In another attack, an airstrike hit a separate house in Beit Lahia, killing 15 people and injuring several others. Additional strikes on nearby residences claimed two more lives.

Broader Context

Israel's intensified operations in northern Gaza began on October 5, framed as a large-scale ground and aerial campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure. However, Palestinians accuse Israel of using the offensive as a means to occupy the area and displace its residents forcibly.

Since the onset of the operation, humanitarian conditions in northern Gaza have deteriorated severely. Israeli forces have blocked the entry of essential aid, including food, medicine, and fuel, pushing the population toward a humanitarian catastrophe.

Human Toll and International Reaction

Since the escalation began last year, over 43,800 Palestinians have been killed, predominantly women and children, with more than 103,600 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities. The latest strikes add to the mounting death toll, while thousands remain displaced without access to basic necessities.

The United Nations has repeatedly called for an immediate cease-fire, but hostilities persist. The International Court of Justice is currently reviewing a case accusing Israel of genocide against the Palestinian people.

This latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict, as the cycle of violence continues to devastate civilian lives and communities in Gaza.