Hamas-run health ministry reports 71 killed in Israeli strike targeting military chief

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that at least 71 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a designated humanitarian area, targeting senior Hamas leaders. The strike, which also injured over 289 people, hit the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis, a zone the Israeli military had designated as a safe area for Palestinians.

An Israeli military official stated that the strike aimed at Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’s military wing and a top target for Israel, occurred in an “open area” supposedly free of civilians. The official did not confirm the number of casualties or whether the targeted Hamas leaders were among them. He also mentioned that the strike targeted Rafa Salama, the Hamas commander for Khan Younis, and was based on “accurate intelligence.”

BBC Verify confirmed that the strike occurred within an area designated as a humanitarian zone by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). However, the official denied knowing if any hostages from the 7 October attack on Israel were present in the area. Hamas rejected the claim that their leaders were targets, labeling it as false.

Eyewitnesses in al-Mawasi described the site as resembling an earthquake, with footage showing smouldering wreckage and bloodied casualties. Dr. Mohammed Abu Rayya, speaking to the BBC, described the situation at a local hospital as “hell,” with many civilians, including women and children, among the casualties. The Nasser medical complex in Khan Younis is reportedly “overwhelmed” and no longer functioning effectively, according to the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.

The Israeli military had earlier instructed all residents of Gaza City to evacuate south amid intensified operations in the north. Mohammed Deif, targeted in the strike, is a key figure for Israel’s military due to his role in the 7 October Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis and foreigners and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to Gaza.

Hamas, in a statement to Reuters, condemned the attack as a “grave escalation” and evidence of Israel’s lack of interest in a ceasefire. Negotiations for a ceasefire in Qatar and Egypt concluded unsuccessfully on Friday.

 

Source: bbc

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *