Palestinians mourn a relative killed in an Israeli attack amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, July 28, 2024. | Photo credit: Reuters
The civil protection agency in Hamas-run Gaza said at least five people were killed in an Israeli attack on July 28 targeting tents in the declared safe zone in the south of the Palestinian territory.
A witness said a newborn was among the dead in al-Mawasi, near the town of Khan Younis, where thousands of displaced Palestinians have taken refuge to escape the war, which is now in its 11th month.
Since Monday, Israeli forces have been carrying out operations in Khan Younis and its surrounding areas, including parts of the coastal area of al-Mawasi.
“Today the Israeli occupation targeted tents of displaced people on al-Istabal Street in al-Mawasi,” Muhammad al-Mugayyar of the Gaza Civil Defense Agency said. AFP,
“Five martyrs and seven injured have been transferred to Nasir Hospital in Khan Younis,” he said.
The Israeli military said it was investigating the reports.
Miriam al-Astal, a resident of al-Mawasi, said a newborn baby was killed.
He said, “We were sitting in the tent…then suddenly we heard the sound of explosion.” AFP,
She said “I swear” that there was no terrorist activity in the area.
Israel warned on Monday that its troops would take “forceful action” in the Khan Younis area – from which troops withdrew in April – and on Saturday the civil protection agency said 170 people had been killed in renewed fighting and military operations.
The army said its latest operation was to prevent rocket attacks. It also announced on Wednesday that troops had recovered the bodies of five Israeli civilians captured by militants and held in Gaza during Hamas’ October 7 offensive.
According to one report, the war was triggered by an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians. AFP This figure is based on official Israeli data.
The militants took 251 hostages during the assault, 111 of whom are still being held in Gaza, 39 of whom the military says are dead.
At least 39,324 people have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory military operation in Gaza, according to Israel’s Health Ministry, although the ministry did not give a breakdown of civilian and militant deaths.