Israeli airstrikes on a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza killed and injured 65 people early today, according to the enclave's civil emergency service, while the Israeli military claimed to have struck a Hamas command center.
Residents and doctors reported that at least four missiles struck a tent encampment near Khan Younis in the Al-Mawasi neighborhood, which is a designated humanitarian zone. The camp is overcrowded with displaced Palestinians who have migrated from elsewhere on the area.
The attack on the tent camp has drawn widespread condemnation from international humanitarian organizations. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) expressed deep concern over the targeting of civilian infrastructure, stating that such actions violate international humanitarian law. The agency called for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered access for humanitarian aid to reach those in desperate need.
According to the Gaza civil emergency service, at least 20 tents were set on fire, and missiles left craters up to 9 meters deep. It stated that the 65 victims included women and children, but did not provide a breakdown of fatalities and injuries.
There was no immediate response from the Gaza health ministry, which compiles casualty statistics. Earlier, the Hamas-aligned Shehab News Agency reported that 40 Palestinians had been murdered.
Medical personnel on the ground described harrowing scenes of chaos and devastation in the aftermath of the strikes. Dr. Ahmed Saleh, a physician at a nearby field hospital, reported a surge in casualties, with many victims suffering from severe burns and shrapnel wounds. "We are overwhelmed and running dangerously low on essential medical supplies," Dr. Saleh stated, highlighting the urgent need for international assistance.
Our personnel are still evacuating martyrs and wounded from the targeted region. According to a Gaza civil emergency official, it appears that there will be another Israeli massacre.
The official stated that workers have been straining to find victims who may have been buried. The Israeli military stated that it targeted significant Hamas terrorists working at a command and control center implanted within the Humanitarian Area in Khan Younis. The terrorists advanced and launched terror assaults on IDF personnel and the state of Israel, according to the statement.
Diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire have intensified in the wake of the latest escalation. Representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are reportedly engaged in talks aimed at de-escalating the situation and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, progress remains elusive as both sides maintain their respective positions.
The Islamist group that ruled Gaza prior to the fighting, Hamas, had no immediate statement. Ambulances raced between the tent camp and an adjacent hospital, while Israeli warplanes could still be heard overhead, residents reported. Almost all of Gaza's 2.3 million citizens have been displaced at least once, with some fleeing up to ten times.
The ongoing conflict has taken a severe toll on Gaza's infrastructure and civilian population. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a looming public health crisis, citing the collapse of healthcare facilities, widespread malnutrition, and the potential outbreak of infectious diseases. The organization has called for immediate action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
The battle began on October 7 when Hamas invaded Israel, killing 1,200 and kidnapping approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli estimates. Israel's following attack on Gaza has killed around 40,900 Palestinians, according to the enclave's health ministry. The two warring parties blame each other for their failure to achieve a ceasefire that would end the combat and free captives.
As the conflict enters its sixth month, concerns are growing about the long-term psychological impact on civilians, particularly children. Mental health experts warn of a generation traumatized by prolonged exposure to violence and displacement. Efforts to provide psychological support and trauma counseling are underway, but resources remain severely limited in the face of overwhelming need.
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