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Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza refugee camp for second day

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Reports say airstrikes have hit a refugee camp in northern Gaza for a second day in a row, as Israel defends its decision to target the camp.

People in the area near Gaza City say a large number of people have died, as Israeli troops continue to push deeper into the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

Internet and phone services were cut for several hours in the region but are gradually being restored according to the main telecommunications provider.

The IDF also defended its strike on a Gaza refugee camp on Tuesday, saying it was a legitimate target and a clear military necessity because of the Hamas commander it was targeting.

READ MORE: UN chief says there are ‘clear violations of humanitarian law’ in Gaza

Meanwhile, more than 400 foreign nationals were allowed to leave Gaza. There are reports of a Canadian citizen crossing the Rafah border but Global Affairs isn’t able to provide any information.

It appeared to be the first time that foreign passport holders have been allowed to leave the besieged territory since the start of the Israel-Hamas war more than three weeks ago.

Humanitarian aid trucks also passed through the Rafah border crossing with supplies for Gaza residents.

Commissioner General of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, reported terrible conditions and reiterated the importance of humanitarian aid and an immediate ceasefire.

“They were drawing my attention today about the real lack of food, lack of water, the lack of fuel, and we know fuel here in Gaza is absolutely everything because without fuel they don’t have generators, do not have functioning bakery, you can not (have a) functioning hospital, you cannot pump water,” Lazzarini said.

READ MORE: Hamas releases two more hostages at Egyptian border

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke on Wednesday on the catastrophic impact on the population in Gaza and called for much-needed humanitarian aid to flow into the region.

“Israel has the right to defend itself but the price for justice can not be the continued suffering of all Palestinian civilians, we are deeply concerned by the catastrophic impact on the population in Gaza, particularly on children,” Trudeau said.

According to reports from Gaza officials, more than 8,000 Palestinians have died as a result of the Israel-Hamas war, 130 of them in the occupied West Bank.