- Gaza’s Health Ministry confirmed at least 19 deaths from an Israeli strike on a humanitarian zone.
- Initial reports claimed 40 fatalities, a figure disputed by Israeli forces.
- Israel states the strike targeted Hamas militants; Hamas denies their presence in the area.
A deadly Israeli airstrike on the al-Mawasi tent camp in Gaza has claimed at least 19 lives, according to Gaza‘s Health Ministry. Initial reports had estimated 40 casualties, but the ministry later revised the toll, citing injuries to 60 others.
The airstrike targeted a supposed humanitarian zone in Khan Younis, where displaced civilians had sought refuge.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge After Deadly Strike on Gaza Safe Zone
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) assert the strike was directed at a Hamas command center embedded within the area. The operation allegedly targeted Hamas commanders involved in previous attacks on Israel. However, Hamas has denied the presence of militants in the camp, and the conflicting casualty figures have sparked further controversy.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as tents caught fire, and large craters were left behind from the explosions. The area, which had been deemed a safe zone by Israeli authorities, housed hundreds of thousands of displaced people following evacuation orders.
The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted senior Hamas operatives allegedly involved in attacks on Israel, including Samer Abu Daqqa and Osama Tabesh. They accused the militants of using the humanitarian zone as cover for operations. Israel maintains that its airstrikes are highly precise, aimed at minimizing civilian casualties.
Despite these claims, Hamas denied that its fighters were present in the area, calling the strikes an indiscriminate attack on civilians. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened with overcrowded conditions in supposed safe zones, raising questions about the effectiveness of such measures in the ongoing conflict.
The conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives about military strikes and their impact on civilians. As tensions rise, the humanitarian situation grows increasingly dire.
“Entire families disappeared in the Mawasi Khan Younis massacre, under the sand, in deep holes.” — Gaza civil defense spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal.
