Israeli airstrikes targeted a five-story residential building in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, on Sunday, leaving dozens dead and injured.
The Palestinian Civil Emergency reported around 70 people were living in the building, while Gaza’s government media office confirmed 72 fatalities. Video footage from the scene obtained by Reuters showed locals recovering bodies from a large pile of rubble, with nearby homes also sustaining significant damage.
An Israeli military spokesperson stated the strikes were aimed at “terrorist assets,” while also emphasizing efforts to evacuate civilians from active war zones. On Sunday, leaflets were distributed across Gaza urging residents to leave northern Gaza immediately due to impending attacks.
Palestinians flee during an Israeli military operation, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, November 17, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer
The Gaza health ministry reported 43,800 deaths since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis, and took 250 hostages.
Israeli Strikes Reportedly Target Hezbollah Figure in Beirut
In a separate incident, Mohammad Afif, Hezbollah’s media relations chief, was reportedly killed in an Israeli strike in central Beirut, on Sunday, according to security sources speaking to Reuters.
FILE PHOTO: The head of Hezbollah’s media office, Mohammad Afif, speaks during a press conference, in Ghobeiry, Lebanon October 22, 2024, in this still image from a video. Al Manar TV/Reuters TV via REUTERS
Hezbollah has not confirmed the death, and the Israeli military declined to comment.
Girls react as they run for cover after an Israeli strike on a building, that according to security sources killed Hezbollah’s media relations chief Mohammad Afif, in Ras Al- Nabaa, Beirut, Lebanon November 17, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
A man is carried on a stretcher at the site of an Israeli strike on a building, that according to security sources killed Hezbollah’s media relations chief Mohammad Afif, in Ras Al- Nabaa, Beirut, Lebanon November 17, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Afif is noted as the first senior Hezbollah official with a media role to be targeted by Israel, with previous Israeli strikes primarily focusing on military or leadership figures. Since the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on September 28, Afif had emerged as one of the group’s most prominent spokespersons.
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut’s Mar Elias street, Lebanon November 17, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
People stand on the rubble after an Israeli strike on a building that according to security sources killed Hezbollah’s media relations chief Mohammad Afif in Ras Al- Nabaa, in Beirut, Lebanon November 17, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
