GAZA CITY: An Israeli airstrike on a camp for displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday killed at least five civilians, including a newborn, Gaza’s civil defence agency said. The strike hit a declared safe zone in Al-Mawasi, near Khan Younis, where tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge from ongoing Israeli bombardments.
The civil defence agency reported that the attack struck tents housing displaced Palestinian families on Al-Istable Street in Al-Mawasi. Muhammad al-Mughayyir from the agency confirmed the fatalities and added that seven people were injured in the strike.
Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic and devastating impact. Miriam al-Astal, a resident of Al-Mawasi, reported that a newborn baby was among those killed. “We were sitting in the tents when suddenly we heard an explosion,” she said. “I swear there was no militant activity in the area.”
The Israeli military has acknowledged the reports but has not yet confirmed details. They stated they were investigating the incident. The military said that their operations in Khan Younis and surrounding areas, including Al-Mawasi, were intended to counter rocket fire.
Since the conflict began, Israeli forces have claimed that their actions are aimed at preventing further rocket attacks from Gaza. On Wednesday, the military announced the recovery of the bodies of five Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Since October 7 last year, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza killing at least 39,324 Palestinians, mostly women and children, the territory’s health ministry reported on Sunday.
The recent strike on Al-Mawasi underscores the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza as the conflict approaches its 11th month. The area remains heavily affected by the ongoing Israeli violence, with countless displaced Palestinians living in precarious conditions.
