Israeli Strike on Gaza Tent Camp: 40 Dead, 60 Wounded, Hamas Denies Allegations
A predawn Israeli airstrike on a crowded tent camp in the Mawasi humanitarian zone in Gaza killed at least 40 people and injured 60 others on Tuesday, according to Palestinian officials. The camp, which housed Palestinians displaced by the ongoing war, was targeted as Israel claimed it was a base for Hamas militants. However, Hamas denied the presence of militants in the area.
Israeli Targeting of Hamas Command
The Israeli military confirmed that the strike targeted what it described as a command-and-control center operated by Hamas militants. According to the military, precise munitions and aerial surveillance were used to minimize civilian casualties. However, Palestinian first responders reported significant civilian deaths, with entire families killed in their tents.
The Civil Defense, operating under the Hamas-controlled government in Gaza, stated that 40 bodies were recovered from the strike, and search operations were ongoing. The strike created large craters, and both first responders and displaced residents were seen digging through rubble with bare hands and makeshift tools.
Humanitarian Impact
Hospitals in Khan Younis were overwhelmed with casualties, with the Nasser Hospital receiving around two dozen bodies from the strike. The war between Israel and Hamas, which began after Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, has displaced about 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Humanitarian zones, like Mawasi, have become crowded tent camps with essential services stretched to the limit.
Despite its designation as a humanitarian zone, Mawasi has been targeted multiple times during the war, exacerbating the already dire situation for displaced residents. Aid organizations have struggled to deliver essential services to the camp’s residents, with frequent disruptions and strikes adding to the difficulties.
Differing Claims and Casualties
Hamas released a statement denying any militant activity in the area targeted by Israel. Neither side has provided concrete evidence to support their claims. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. However, it does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Israel maintains that its strikes are aimed at Hamas militants, who they claim operate in residential areas and near sensitive sites such as schools and mosques.
UN Efforts Hampered by Israeli Military
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that an Israeli military convoy detained its staff for more than eight hours on Monday. The staff had been working on a polio vaccination campaign for children in northern Gaza and Gaza City. UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini stated that the convoy was stopped at gunpoint, and bulldozers caused heavy damage to UN armored vehicles.
Despite the coordinated effort with the Israeli military, the vaccination campaign was halted, leaving the health of 640,000 children at risk during a war that has already devastated Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. The Israeli military has yet to comment on the incident.
As the war continues, the humanitarian crisis deepens, with both sides blaming each other for the escalating civilian death toll.