Israeli strikes in northern Gaza overnight into Sunday left at least 87 people dead or missing, according to the territory’s Hamas-run Health Ministry.
The strikes took place on the town of Beit Lahiya, which was among the first targets of Israel’s ground invasion nearly a year ago.
At least eight children were reported to be among the dead.
The Israeli military said it used precise munitions against a Hamas target as a large-scale operation continued against militants who were regrouping.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government said a drone targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s house Saturday, with no casualties.
“The attempt by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake,” Netanyahu said.
In a call with US presidential candidate Donald Trump, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would act based on its interests.
Gaza’s Health Ministry on Sunday said Israel’s retaliatory offensive against Hamas in Gaza has now killed at least 42,603 Palestinians.
The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but the UN and multiple humanitarian organizations consider the casualty numbers broadly reliable.
The ministry says more than half the dead are women and children.
The war was sparked by the unprecedented Hamas attack last year that resulted in the deaths of some 1,200 people in southern Israel.
rc/wmr (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)
