In an overnight Israeli airstrike on a humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, at least 40 people were reported dead, according to local rescue officials.
The strike targeted Al-Mawasi, a region near Khan Younis where tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians had sought refuge.
The area, characterized by its sparse infrastructure and limited access to aid, was reportedly hit by multiple missiles, creating large craters and causing extensive damage.
Gaza Civil Defense reported that over 60 individuals were also injured in the attack, with rescuers struggling to recover victims buried under sand and debris.
The rescue efforts were hampered by a lack of resources and insufficient lighting, complicating the search for survivors.
The Israel Defense Forces asserted that the strike aimed at “significant Hamas terrorists” operating within a command-and-control center embedded inside the humanitarian area.
In response, Hamas denied these claims, labeling them as false and asserting that the strike resulted in the deaths of “dozens of unarmed civilians, most of whom were children and women.”
Hamas accused Israel of using these claims to justify what they termed “heinous crimes.”
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal added that there was no prior warning given to the displaced people in Al-Mawasi about the imminent attack.
Eyewitnesses reported that at least five missiles struck the region, destroying between 20 to 40 tents and leading to the disappearance of entire families beneath the sand.
Video footage from the scene, shared by Hamas media outlet Al Aqsa TV, showed rescue teams sifting through the rubble and searching for survivors.
The IDF contended that its operation was carried out with precision and efforts to minimize civilian casualties, using advanced munitions and aerial surveillance.
However, they did not confirm if any warnings were issued to the civilians in the area.
The recent strike follows a series of previous attacks on Al-Mawasi and other locations in Gaza, aimed at Hamas targets but often resulting in significant civilian casualties.
Notably, a mid-July strike targeting Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif led to at least 90 Palestinian deaths. Israel claims to have eliminated or captured a significant number of Hamas leaders and fighters since the onset of the conflict, though signs of the group’s resurgence persist in areas previously cleared by Israeli forces.
