At least 21 people have been killed and several others injured after a fire ripped through a residential building in the densely-populated Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip late on Thursday.
Ambulances rushed several injured people to local hospitals while sources reported that several children were among the dead.
Gaza’s Interior Ministry said an initial investigation that large amounts of gasoline had been stored at the site fueling the blaze that quickly engulfed the building.
The firefighters made great efforts to get control of the massive flames that burst through the top floor of a four-story residential building the ministry added.
Gaza authorities called the incident a national tragedy and said there would be a day of mourning.
For his part head of Hamas political bureau Ismail Haneyya has mourned the death of the Palestinian victims who passed away in the house fire.
The Hamas chief extended condolences to the families of the victims and highlighted that this horrible incident reminds the Palestinians of the consequences of the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.
“The Israeli occupation bans rescue teams in Gaza from having advanced equipment needed to deal with such a big fire” he added.
Haneyya called on the international community to pressure the Israeli occupation to lift the 15-year Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.
The top Hamas official emphasized that the Movement would side with and support the families of the deceased Palestinian citizens.
