In the latest escalation of Israel’s offensive on Gaza, an IDF airstrike on a tent camp in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, has led to at least 40 deaths and 60 injuries, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. The strike targeted a humanitarian zone designated for displaced Palestinians.
The camp, which served as refuge for tens of thousands, sustained severe damage, including the creation of three deep craters and the destruction of more than 20 tents. The Israeli military stated that the airstrike targeted a Hamas command center within the camp, alleging that Hamas operatives were using the humanitarian area for military purposes. Hamas, however, has strongly denied these allegations, calling them “blatant lies” and asserting that the attack was a deliberate assault on civilians.
Gaza’s civil defense officials reported that rescue operations have been severely hampered by a lack of equipment and the extensive damage from the strike. Efforts are ongoing to recover 15 missing persons from the rubble.
The camp, previously designated as a safe zone by Israeli authorities, has experienced sporadic military activity throughout the conflict. This incident underscores the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where infrastructure and services have been critically affected by ongoing hostilities.
Since the onset of Israel’s offensive, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the region is facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The UN reports that the majority of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents have been displaced at least once during the conflict.
International efforts to mediate a ceasefire, involving the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, have so far stalled due to significant obstacles. Hamas demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel insists on maintaining a military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border. Additionally, South Africa has filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of violating the Genocide Convention during its actions in Gaza.
