More than 55 people were reportedly killed overnight in an Israeli air strike on a residential building in the northern Gaza district of Beit Lahia, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency.

The five-storey building, home to the Abu Nasr family, was struck in the ongoing conflict, leaving dozens more trapped or wounded beneath the rubble, agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP.

Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia received the bodies of 15 victims, with hospital director Hussam Abu Safia confirming that another 35 wounded, most of them children, were also being treated.

Safia reported severe shortages of medical supplies and staff, exacerbated by recent incursions at the hospital by Israeli forces during their operations in the area.

Israel’s military stated that it is investigating the reports of the civilian casualties. It noted that additional strikes were conducted in Jabalia, reportedly targeting Hamas militants in an effort to disrupt their operations in northern Gaza.

The airstrikes and ground operations have intensified since October 6, forcing tens of thousands of Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza.

Hundreds of casualties have been reported by Gaza’s civil defense agency amidst ongoing bombardments.