More now on Israel’s air strike in northern Gaza, which the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry reports has left at least 93 people either killed or missing (see our 12.05pm post).
The US – Israel’s key ally – has described the attack in the town of Beit Lahiya as a “horrifying incident with a horrifying result” and said officials have reached out to the Israeli government to find out what happened.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller added he is aware of reports that children are among the dead.
He said officials have “made clear we want to know exactly what happened, how you could have a result that produces, according to reports, dozens of children dead, and we don’t yet know the answer to that question”.
“It is critically important… that Israel be mindful of achieving a larger strategic success, and that [Israel] be mindful of finding a way to end this campaign in a way that brings the hostages home, in a way that ensures their security, and not just continuing in an endless, perpetual conflict,” he added.
The US told Israel earlier this month to take steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza in 30 days or face potential restrictions on military aid.
But the US has so far not seen enough progress on the points they set out, Mr Miller said.
The UN Human Rights Office said it was “appalled” by the attack, calling for a prompt, transparent investigation into the circumstances.
Reuters news agency reports it has seen video footage showing several bodies in blankets outside a bombed four-storey building.
“There are tens of martyrs (dead), tens of displaced people were living in this house,” witness Ismail Ouaida, who was helping to recover bodies, said in the video.
“The house was bombed without prior warning. As you can see, martyrs are here and there, with body parts hanging on the walls.”
Yesterday, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said around 100,000 people are trapped in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun without food or medical supplies.
Those wounded in today’s strike could not receive care as doctors had been forced to evacuate the nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital, the territory’s health ministry claimed.