An Israeli airstrike on Tuesday targeted the Al Mawasi humanitarian zone in Gaza’s Khan Yunis province, resulting in the deaths of 40 people, according to the Palestinian Civil Defence Agency.
Despite being designated as a safe zone by the Israeli military, which had become a refuge for tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians, the area was hit in what the Israeli army claimed was a strike on a “Hamas command center.”
Civil Defence official Mohammed al-Mughair reported that 40 people were killed and 60 injured in the attack, with efforts ongoing to find 15 others still missing. He noted that the strike hit the tents of displaced individuals, causing severe damage.
Spokesman Mahmud Basal stated that no prior warning was given to those sheltering in the area, which resulted in “three deep craters” and entire families buried under the debris.
The United Nations envoy condemned the strike, while Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant indicated that focus would soon shift to the northern border with Lebanon, as their mission in Gaza nears completion. He claimed that a truce and prisoner swap could provide Israel with a strategic opportunity to address other security issues.
The Israeli military later questioned the death toll provided by Gaza authorities, asserting that the figures did not match their information and naming individuals they claimed were involved in the October 7 attacks that led to the Gaza conflict. Hamas dismissed these claims as false.
Efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the US to broker a ceasefire remain stalled, with conflicting demands from both sides. Meanwhile, the European Union’s foreign affairs chief urged for a ceasefire, expressing frustration over the lack of progress.
