An Israeli air strike in a designated humanitarian area killed at least 90 Palestinians and injured about 300 others. The strike targeted senior Hamas leader Mohammed Deif and his deputy Rafa Salama. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that there was “no certainty” about whether Deif or Salama had been killed in the strike. The attack passed off in the al-Mawasi region close to Khan Younis, an area detailed as a humanitarian sector through the Israeli military.
Eyewitness Accounts and Aftermath Israeli
Eyewitnesses defined the strike’s aftermath as equivalent to an “earthquake,” with scenes of destruction and chaos. Videos showed smoldering wreckage and people carrying injured individuals on stretchers. People were seen digging through the rubble with their hands, desperately trying to find survivors. BBC Verify confirmed the strike occurred within an area marked as a humanitarian zone on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) website.
Israeli Response and Intentions: Israeli
Netanyahu stated that he ordered the strike after receiving briefings from his security forces. He assured that measures were taken to avoid civilian casualties and promised to target all senior Hamas members. Netanyahu emphasized, “Either way, we will get to the whole of the leadership of Hamas.”
Hamas Reaction and Accusations
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh accused Netanyahu of blocking a ceasefire with “heinous massacres.” Hamas dismissed Israel’s claim of targeting their leaders as false, asserting that previous claims had also been proven untrue. An Israeli army professional stated that the strike focused on an “open place” without civilians, accusing Hamas of putting in operations in civilian regions.
Medical and Humanitarian Impact
Dr. Mohammed Abu Rayya, from a clinic handling the aftermath, described the state of affairs as one of the “black days,” with many casualties being civilians, inclusive of girls and kids. Hospitals within the vicinity, including the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, had been overwhelmed and suffering from the influx of injured people.
Profile of Mohammed Deif
Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, is a vital parent in the ongoing war. He is understood for surviving more than one assassination attempt. He is believed to be one of the masterminds behind the 7 October Hamas attack on foreigners, primarily civilians.
Ongoing Conflict and Ceasefire Negotiations
A Hamas official called the attack a “grave escalation,” indicating that Israel was not interested in a ceasefire. Ceasefire negotiations in Qatar and Egypt concluded without success. The Hamas-run civil defense enterprise reported that 17 people died in an Israeli strike on a prayer hall in the Shati refugee camp.
This escalation highlights the intense and ongoing impact of the battle on the civilian population and the challenges in attaining a peaceful decision.
