An Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip overnight has claimed the lives of 11 individuals, including Mahmud Salah, the former chief of the now-disbanded Hamas police force, and his deputy, Hussam Shahwan.
Gaza’s civil defense agency confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.
“Eleven people were martyred, including three children and two women, and 15 were injured after the occupation aircraft bombed a tent housing displaced people in the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis city in the southern Gaza Strip,” said Mahmud Bassal, the agency’s spokesperson.
The Israeli military has acknowledged the incident, stating it is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the strike.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions, with renewed rocket fire from Gaza targeting Israel. Although recent rocket launches have caused minimal physical damage in Israel, they present a significant political challenge for the Israeli government after nearly 15 months of sustained conflict.
On Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning, threatening to intensify military operations if Hamas continued its rocket assaults. Katz also reiterated Israel’s demand for the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
“We will escalate our strikes if these provocations persist,” Katz stated, signaling Israel’s firm stance on responding to attacks from Gaza.
The airstrike targeted a tent sheltering displaced individuals in Khan Yunis, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. Among the casualties were three children and two women, highlighting the devastating impact on civilians in the conflict zone.
The ongoing conflict has led to widespread displacement and suffering for Gaza’s residents, drawing international attention to the dire humanitarian conditions in the territory.
As both sides brace for potential escalations, the latest airstrike underscores the severe human toll of the prolonged conflict and the urgent need for renewed efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
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