The Wafa news agency reports that the targeted building in the Tall az-Zaatar area was housing displaced Palestinians and that the 40 people killed included women and children.

The agency, citing its correspondents on the ground, said that “a large number” of people remain trapped under the rubble, “but it is difficult to rescue them due to the lack of ambulance and emergency workers”.

Al Jazeera reports that Israeli forces have been laying siege to Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoon since October 6 and have barred civil defence crews from operating in the area.