Israel Strike Kills 70 In Refugee Camp

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said at least 70 people have been killed in an Israeli air strike that late Sunday (December 24) hit a number of houses in a refugee camp.

The ministry said the strike destroyed the houses in Al-Maghazi camp in the centre of the Palestinian territory. AFP was unable to independently verify the toll.

Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said "the number of martyrs from the Al-Maghazi massacre has risen to 70 so far".

Contacted by AFP, the Israeli army said it was "checking" the report.

Earlier Qudra said the strike destroyed a "residential block" and that the "toll is likely to rise" given the large number of families residing there.

In a separate incident, the ministry said 10 members of one family were killed in an Israeli strike on their house in the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza. AFP was unable to verify the toll independently. _AFP