Casualties Deaths surge as IDF steps up offensive

Israel's offensive in northern Gaza has claimed more than 700 lives in a little over three weeks in a series of attacks that have resulted in heavy casualties among the 100,000 or so people who are still living there. Below are the reported deaths over the last nine days.

- Peter Beaumont

20 October

At least 87 people were killed overnight when an Israeli airstrike hit several multistorey buildings in Beit Lahiya, according to Gaza's health ministry. Images suggested two or three big blocks of flats were demolished in the strike.

Graphic footage afterwards showed the bodies of several children among the dead, while footage from the nearby Kamal Adwan hospital showed body bags. Israel says the casualty figures were exaggerated, despite evidence of civilian deaths.