Early Tuesday morning, the Gaza civil emergency service reported that Israeli airstrikes on a tent camp in southern Gaza killed and wounded at least 65 people, including women and children. The camp, located near Khan Younis in the Al-Mawasi area, a designated humanitarian zone, was struck by at least four missiles, according to residents and medics. The camp is densely populated with displaced Palestinians who have fled their homes due to the ongoing conflict.
Witnesses reported that at least 20 tents were engulfed in flames after the strikes, leaving craters as deep as nine meters (30 feet). The Gaza civil emergency service described the scene as chaotic, with teams struggling to rescue victims and search for those who might be buried under the debris.
The Israeli military justified the airstrikes by claiming they targeted a Hamas command center. “The terrorists advanced and carried out terror attacks against IDF troops and the state of Israel,” a statement from the Israeli Defence Forces read. However, Hamas, the Islamist group that controlled Gaza before the conflict, vehemently denied the presence of any armed personnel in the targeted area. “This is a clear lie that aims to justify these ugly crimes. The resistance has denied several times that any of its members exist within civilian gatherings or using these places for military purposes,” said Hamas in a statement.
This incident highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on the civilian population of Gaza. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been forced from their homes at least once, and some have had to flee as many as 10 times. The conflict, which began on October 7, was triggered by a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, leading to a brutal Israeli counteroffensive.
The Israeli assault on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 40,900 Palestinians, according to the enclave’s health ministry. Meanwhile, the Israeli military reports over 1,200 deaths and the capture of approximately 250 hostages. The two sides remain locked in a fierce battle, with no sign of a ceasefire agreement on the horizon. The lack of progress in negotiations has led to a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, with concerns mounting over access to food, water, and medical supplies. The international community is calling for an immediate ceasefire and the initiation of dialogue to bring an end to the conflict.
