Over 30 people lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in central Gaza late Saturday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The attack occurred during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants.
The health ministry’s spokesperson, Ashraf Al-Qudra, stated, “More than 30 (deceased) were brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah as a result of the occupation’s actions in Al-Maghazi camp in central Gaza.”
Hamas, in a statement on Telegram, accused Israel of directly targeting civilian homes, with a majority of the casualties being women and children.
One resident, Mohammed Alaloul, a 37-year-old journalist working for the Turkish Anadolu Agency, reported, “An Israeli air strike targeted my neighbors’ house in Al-Maghazi camp, and my own house next door suffered partial collapse.”
On the same day, Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi visited troops inside Gaza after they had encircled Gaza City, which is situated to the north of Al-Maghazi.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that Israeli forces were engaged in intense combat in Gaza, operating from both the south and north of Gaza City and entering populated areas.