Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza on Saturday killed at least 200 people, according to local health officials. The strikes, which targeted densely populated neighborhoods such as Tel Al Zaatar and Beit Lahiya, coincided with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announcing a suspension of aid deliveries through Gaza’s primary Kerem Shalom crossing because of safety concerns.
Speaking to CNN, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, reported that five buildings housing more than 200 people were struck in Tel Al Zaatar and Beit Lahiya. Many residents calling for help were killed as the buildings collapsed, leaving only one survivor pulled from the rubble. Another strike in Tel Al Zaatar reportedly killed over 40 members of the Al-Araj family.
The Israeli military has not commented on the strikes in these areas but has previously emphasized its focus on targeting Hamas militants. The Health Ministry in Gaza reports that more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, though independent verification remains challenging due to limited access to northern Gaza.
UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini announced the suspension of aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing after armed gangs looted several trucks carrying essential supplies on Saturday. This follows an earlier incident in mid-November when nearly 100 aid trucks were seized by armed groups. Lazzarini described the current environment as a breakdown of law and order, exacerbated by Israeli military restrictions and ongoing hostilities.
The decision to halt aid comes as cold weather intensifies the plight of displaced civilians, many of whom are living in overcrowded tent camps with limited access to food, water, or medicine. According to UNRWA, Gaza received only 65 aid trucks per day in November, a stark decrease from the prewar average of 500. The situation has prompted warnings of famine, particularly in the besieged north.
Lazzarini called on Israel to ensure the safety of aid routes and refrain from targeting humanitarian workers. The U.N. estimates that more than 330 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, with a significant portion of humanitarian assistance reportedly stolen by armed groups and resold at exorbitant prices.
Israel denies targeting humanitarian workers and claims that Hamas diverts aid for its own purposes. In response, Hamas accuses Israel of deliberately fostering chaos by targeting local police tasked with securing aid deliveries.
