An Israeli airstrike on the Al Mawasi humanitarian zone in Khan Yunis, Gaza, killed 40 people on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian civil defense agency. The area, previously designated a safe zone by Israel, was housing tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians.
The Israeli military claimed it targeted a “Hamas command center” embedded within the humanitarian zone. Civil defense official Mohammed al-Mughair reported 40 dead and 60 wounded, with efforts ongoing to recover 15 missing individuals. The strike caused significant destruction, leaving “three deep craters” and burying entire families under the rubble.
Survivors, who had sought refuge in Al Mawasi at the government’s direction, reported no prior warning before the bombing. The Israeli military defended the strike, alleging that Hamas was using civilian infrastructure for military purposes. The military later questioned the casualty figures provided by Gaza authorities and claimed the operation targeted individuals involved in the October 7 attacks that led to the current conflict.
International condemnation followed, with UN envoy Tor Wennesland emphasizing the need for adherence to humanitarian law and protection of civilians. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant indicated that the military’s focus would soon shift to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, as the mission in Gaza nears completion. Efforts to secure a ceasefire remain stalled, with conflicting demands from Hamas and Israel.
