Israel bombed a densely populated tent encampment in southern Gaza’s Al-Mawasi area on Wednesday night, killing at least 20 people and injuring several others. The strike was said to target senior Hamas militants but also caused significant damage to the makeshift tents of thousands of displaced Palestinians.
The Israeli military claimed that secondary explosions suggested the presence of weaponry in the area, despite designating the zone as a humanitarian area. However, video footage showed widespread destruction and charred remains of homes and belongings.
Eyewitnesses described the strike as a “big and scary explosion” that turned the area into a fireball. Another resident said the flames from the missile caused almost all of the damage.
The Al-Mawasi zone was designated safer for civilians by Israel, but aid groups have warned it lacks essential services such as shelter, water, food, sanitation, and healthcare. Despite this, Palestinians in other areas were ordered to evacuate to the zone, sparking protests from aid groups.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/world/middleeast/israel-strike-gaza-al-mawasi.html