Israel bans UNRWA and bombs Gaza. “Many children are reported to have died.”

After the attack by Israeli forces on a multi-story building in Beit Lahiya in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, its inhabitants are searching through the rubble, but are not looking for survivors. They are collecting the bodies of – according to the Palestinians – over 90 victims of the Israeli airstrike, including over 20 children.

– This building had four floors and dozens of displaced people lived in it. It was bombed without prior warning, says Ismail Ouaida, a witness to the Israeli attack.

The Israeli military claims it carried out the attack on a “suspected terrorist” and is investigating why so many civilians were in the area at the time. The area had previously been evacuated and was an active combat zone. And during last week's briefing, one Israeli general openly admitted that – to his knowledge – there is no longer any population in Beit Lahiyah. However, the photos suggest otherwise.

– This is a terrifying attack with terrifying consequences. I cannot confirm the total death toll, but many children are reported to have died, says Matthew Miller, spokesman for the US Department of State.

Rescuers cannot reach this part of northern Gaza because it has been under siege for almost a month by the Israeli army, which is trying to prevent Hamas terrorists from regrouping in these areas.

– Call ambulances, give us ambulances – said one of the boys living in northern Gaza in CNN's material.

The third raid on Bayt Lahija in a week took place a day after the Israeli parliament adopted a law banning the operation of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees – UNRWA – in the country and in areas controlled by it.

– This is an agenda that has been completely taken over by the terrorist organization Hamas. He gained control over UN facilities: schools, hospitals and clinics to use them as military bases, hiding ammunition, missiles and carrying out terrorist activities from them, says Sharren Haskel, co-author of the bill.

The Israelis also cite a UN investigation that found that nine UNRWA employees may have been involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel. The men were fired, but the agency employs thousands of people and virtually the entire population of the Gaza Strip, now over two million people, depends on its assistance. And not only that.

– The organization helps nearly six million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East, mainly in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, providing them with assistance ranging from health care and shelter to food and education – points out Matthew Chance, CNN correspondent.

Israel's decision sparked loud opposition not only from the organization itself, but also from other aid agencies operating under the UN agency.

– If UNRWA is unable to act, we will likely see the collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza. This sudden decision means that a new way has been found to kill children, says James Elder, spokesman for UNICEF.

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The international community openly called on Israel to withdraw these regulations, and the Americans warned Benjamin Netanyahu of the possible consequences of his government's actions.

– We have clearly expressed our opposition to this bill. As Secretary Blinken has said, there may be consequences under U.S. law and policy for implementing such legislation, comments Matthew Miller.

Israel – apart from the Gaza Strip – is also constantly conducting an offensive on the second front. On October 28 alone, according to the authorities in Beirut, at least 60 people were killed in Israeli attacks in eastern Lebanon. However, the clearly weakened Hezbollah continues to strike back at Israel, and on October 29, the group appointed Naim Kassem, who had been the organization's deputy secretary and spokesman for over 30 years, as its new leader.

– I would like to reassure everyone: we still have great capabilities and arsenal, contrary to what the enemy claims – said Naim Kassem on October 8.

The Israeli Defense Minister, whose troops have eliminated virtually the entire Hezbollah command in recent weeks, commented on the choice of the group's new leader in one sentence – it is a temporary appointment that will not last long.