The recent Israeli air strike on a designated humanitarian area in Gaza has left at least 71 Palestinians dead and more than 289 injured, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The strike targeted senior Hamas leaders in the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis, which was designated as a humanitarian zone by the Israeli military.
Despite claims by the Israeli military that the strike targeted Hamas leaders Mohammed Deif and Rafa Salama, Hamas has denied these allegations, calling them “false”. The aftermath of the strike has been described as resembling an “earthquake” by eyewitnesses, with scenes of chaos and devastation in the area.
Doctors at hospitals dealing with the aftermath of the attack have described it as “one of the black days”, with a majority of cases being dead and others suffering from shrapnel wounds. The Nasser medical complex in Khan Younis is overwhelmed and unable to function, while footage from nearby hospitals shows patients being treated on the floor.
The attack comes amid intensified operations in Gaza, with the Israeli military urging residents of Gaza City to evacuate south to the central Gaza Strip. Ceasefire negotiations in Qatar and Egypt have ended without success, with a Hamas official calling the attack a “grave escalation” that shows Israel’s lack of interest in reaching a ceasefire agreement.
The head of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, is a top target for Israel’s military and is believed to be behind the recent Hamas attack that led to the major Israeli military operation in Gaza. The situation in Gaza remains tense as both sides continue to engage in conflict.
