Israeli airstrikes on Thursday killed at least 43 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including women and children in a tent encampment within the Al-Mawasi district, designated as a humanitarian zone. The strikes targeted multiple areas amid the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas-led administration, now in its 15th month.
Strikes Target Al-Mawasi and Key Figures
The Al-Mawasi district strike killed 11 individuals, including families sheltering in the camp. Gaza’s Hamas-run interior ministry confirmed the deaths of Mahmoud Salah, the Gaza police chief, and his aide Hussam Shahwan. Israel identified Shahwan as a senior Hamas security figure but did not acknowledge Salah’s death.
The Israeli military stated the operation was intelligence-driven and targeted a Hamas command center within the Khan Younis municipality building, which it claimed was being used by militants.
Broader Casualties
Elsewhere in Gaza, 26 people were killed in separate strikes, including six at the interior ministry headquarters in Khan Younis and others in Jabalia, the Shati camp, and Maghazi camp. Additional strikes in Gaza City claimed lives in Jala Street and the Zeitoun district.
Humanitarian Crisis
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), condemned the attack, stating on social media:
“There is no humanitarian zone, let alone a safe zone in Gaza. Every day without a ceasefire brings more tragedy.”
The Gaza health ministry reports over 45,500 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. Most of the territory’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, with widespread devastation across the region.
Conflict Background
The war escalated following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 cross-border attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 hostages taken into Gaza, according to Israeli figures.