Latest Middle East News: ‘The countdown has begun’: Israel warns new Hezbollah leader after spate of killings

Now for more on the Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip, which the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry said left at least 93 people dead or missing (see our post at 12:05).

The United States, a key Israeli ally, described the attack in the town of Beit Lahiya as a “horrific incident with a horrific outcome” and said officials had reached out to the Israeli government to find out what happened.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller added that he was aware of reports that children were among the dead.

He said officials “have made it clear that we want to know exactly what happened, how it was possible to get a result that reportedly led to the deaths of dozens of children, and we don’t know the answer to that question yet.”

“It is imperative… that Israel remembers to achieve greater strategic success and that (Israel) remembers to find a way to end this campaign in a way that brings the hostages home and ensures their safety. , and not just continue an endless, eternal conflict,” he added.

Earlier this month, the US advised Israel to take steps to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip within 30 days or face potential restrictions on military aid.

But the United States still hasn’t made enough progress on those points, Mr. Miller said.

The UN human rights office said it was “appalled” by the attack and called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the circumstances.

Reuters news agency said it had seen video footage showing several bodies covered in blankets near the bombed four-story building.

“Dozens of martyrs (dead) live in this house, dozens of internally displaced persons,” witness Ismail Wayda, who helped find the bodies, said in the video.

“The house was blown up without prior warning. As you can see, there are martyrs here and there, and body parts hanging on the walls.”

Yesterday, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Authority said some 100,000 people were trapped in Jabaliya, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun without food or medicine.

Those wounded in today’s strike were unable to receive medical treatment as doctors were forced to evacuate the nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital, the territory’s health ministry said.