Tragic Toll: Israeli Airstrikes Claim Dozens of Lives in Gaza's Humanitarian Zone

At least 40 people have been killed and dozens more injured in southern Gaza following Israeli airstrikes on a designated humanitarian zone, according to reports from the Hamas-run Civil Defence authority.

The Israeli military stated that its aircraft targeted an operations center in Khan Younis, which was allegedly used by Hamas fighters. The military claimed it had taken measures to minimize civilian casualties.

Local residents reported that three separate strikes hit tents housing displaced individuals in the al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis. The attacks created craters approximately seven meters deep, resulting in significant destruction.

"Forty people were killed and more than 60 injured, with many still trapped under the rubble," said the operations director of Hamas's Civil Defence authority.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of devastation, with large explosions and flames visible shortly after midnight. Khaled Mahmoud, a nearby resident and volunteer, described the scene as overwhelming. He reported that the strikes created deep craters and buried numerous tents, complicating rescue efforts.

Unverified footage showed civilians desperately trying to dig through the debris with their hands in hopes of rescuing those trapped.

In response, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson emphasized that the operation targeted "significant Hamas terrorists" within a command center located inside the humanitarian zone. The spokesperson insisted that extensive precautions, including precise munitions and aerial surveillance, were employed to avoid civilian harm.

The IDF accused Hamas of misusing civilian and humanitarian areas for militant activities. Hamas, however, has dismissed these claims as "blatant" falsehoods, insisting that its members were not present in civilian areas or using them for military purposes.

Since the onset of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza last October, following a major Hamas attack on southern Israel, thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in Khan Younis. The conflict, which began in response to the October 7, 2023 attack, has led to significant casualties, with Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 40,900 deaths.

This latest escalation underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the complex dynamics of the conflict in the region.