In Israeli airstrikes targeting Gaza’s al-Mawasi safe zone, women and children were among those incinerated, resulting in 20 fatalities
In a recent escalation of violence, Israeli airstrikes have struck tents housing displaced Palestinians and food storage facilities in al-Mawasi. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people, among them women and children, who were residing in temporary shelters designated as a humanitarian zone.
Missiles struck improvised shelters housing 14 displaced families in the al-Mawasi region, west of Khan Yunis, shortly after Wednesday’s sunset prayer, resulting in a fire outbreak.
Rescue operations persisted throughout the day as firefighters faced challenges in containing the blaze that consumed a camp comprised of tin sheets, tarpaulin, and plastic poles.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, food storage facilities were among the sites targeted in the recent attack, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the densely populated area.
Eyewitnesses reported harrowing scenes of destruction, with victims suffering severe burns rendering them unrecognizable, and others being severely injured by the explosion. Sources indicate that the attack resulted in the tragic loss of life, including women and children who were tragically engulfed in flames.
Local authorities and medical sources have strongly denounced the attack, describing it as a serious breach of civilian safety, especially considering the region is predominantly inhabited by displaced civilians.
Mahmoud Basal, the spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, condemned the recent strike, asserting that the occupying forces are fully aware that the Mawasi area is inhabited solely by civilians.
Since May, the al-Mawasi camp has faced a series of repeated assaults by Israeli forces.
In October 2023, Israel designated a “humanitarian safe zone” in response to mounting international appeals for civilian protection. This provisional tent camp has since transformed into one of the most densely inhabited regions in Gaza, providing refuge for more than two million people who have experienced displacement at least once.
The situation in Gaza has intensified, with recent reports confirming that at least 70 individuals have lost their lives since the onset of violence early Wednesday. The fatalities include 10 people in Gaza City, resulting from a separate military operation. Rescue efforts are actively ongoing to reach numerous individuals who remain trapped beneath debris.
In a devastating incident in central Gaza, medical sources have reported the deaths of 11 Palestinians as a result of airstrikes, among them six children and a healthcare worker. Among those killed, five individuals were reportedly queuing outside a bakery at the time of the strikes.
In addition, medical sources have reported that nine Palestinians were killed by tank shelling in Rafah, near the border with Egypt.
The northern region of Gaza continues to endure severe hardships amid ongoing tensions, as reports emerge of compulsory evacuations and aggressive actions targeting the remaining shelters. According to accounts from residents in Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, Israeli forces have allegedly demolished multiple homes in these areas.
The Civil Defense in Gaza has issued a stark warning regarding the town of Beit Lahia, located in the northern Gaza Strip, declaring it “uninhabitable.” Authorities caution that the lives of approximately 60,000 Palestinians are in jeopardy amid the escalating crisis.
In a night characterized by severe violence, the town of Beit Lahia experienced intense hostilities as Israeli forces reportedly deployed mines and explosive devices within residential zones, in what has been described as an effort to forcibly evacuate the families still residing there.
The continued violence has placed hospitals such as Kamal Adwan in vulnerable situations, as essential medical supplies and oxygen have been disrupted following a series of attacks. Reports suggest that drones are deploying shrapnel-laden explosives, endangering anyone on the move. Meanwhile, there are allegations that Israeli forces are deliberately targeting medical personnel.
According to recent reports, at least 44,532 Palestinians have lost their lives and 105,538 have been injured in Gaza since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023.
