At least 40 people have been killed and 60 injured in an Israeli attack on a tent encampment for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza, according to civil emergency authorities in the enclave. The attack occurred in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, where Palestinians had been sheltering in tents after the Israeli army designated the coastal area a “safe zone” during ground invasions.
Rescuers searching for survivors reported finding craters up to 9 meters deep at the tent camp, with chaotic scenes of fires burning and Israeli reconnaissance planes circling overhead. Gaza’s Civil Defence called the attack “one of the most heinous massacres in this frenzied war,” stating that retrieving the bodies of the victims was challenging.
Israeli authorities claimed they targeted “significant Hamas terrorists” in a command and control center within the humanitarian zone. They asserted that precautions were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including using precise munitions and aerial surveillance. Hamas, the governing group in Gaza, denied having fighters in the area and accused Israel of fabricating lies to justify their actions.
The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation, with calls for an immediate ceasefire and accountability for the loss of civilian lives. The international community is urged to intervene to prevent further violence and provide aid to those affected by the conflict. The situation in Gaza remains volatile and in urgent need of a peaceful resolution to end the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
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