The civil defence agency in Hamas-run Gaza reported that an Israeli strike on July 28 targeted tents at a declared safe zone in the southern part of Palestinian territory, resulting in the death of at least five individuals.
An eyewitness mentioned that among the casualties in Al-Mawasi near Khan Yunis city was a newborn, where tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge during the nearly 11-month-long conflict.
Israeli forces have been conducting operations in and around Khan Younis since Monday, including in parts of the coastal area of Al-Mawasi.
“Today, the Israeli occupation targeted… the tents of displaced people on Al-Istable street in Al-Mawasi,” stated Muhammad al-Mughayyir of the Gaza civil defence agency to AFP.
“Five individuals were killed and seven others were injured, who were then transferred to Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis,” he added.
The Israeli military mentioned that they are investigating the reports.
Miriam al-Astal, a resident of Al-Mawasi, confirmed that a newborn baby was among the victims.
“We were sitting in the tents… when suddenly we heard an explosion,” she recounted to AFP.
“I swear” there was no militant activity in the area, she insisted.
Israel had previously warned of conducting operations in the Khan Younis area, from which troops had withdrawn in April. The civil defence agency reported that 170 individuals have been killed in the renewed fighting and military actions.
The Israeli military stated that their recent operations were aimed at preventing rocket attacks. They also announced that they had retrieved the bodies of five Israelis who were taken by militants during an attack by Hamas on October 7 and held in Gaza.
The initial attack on southern Israel that led to the ongoing conflict resulted in the death of 1,197 individuals, mainly civilians. Additionally, militants had taken 251 hostages during the attack, with 111 still being held captive in Gaza, including 39 who are presumed dead.
Israel’s retaliatory actions in Gaza have resulted in the loss of at least 39,324 lives, according to the health ministry in the territory, which did not specify the breakdown between civilian and militant casualties.
