The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported a tragic incident in southern Gaza, where at least 22 people lost their lives in a strike that targeted civilians seeking shelter. The strike struck the tents of displaced individuals in the town of Mawasi, a place where many Palestinians had sought refuge due to ongoing Israeli operations in Rafah.
The ICRC confirmed that 22 bodies were received at the nearby Red Cross field hospital, with an additional 45 individuals sustaining injuries as a result of the attack. The Palestine Red Crescent Society attributed the strike to Israel and noted the significant number of casualties they were dealing with. However, the Israeli military stated that initial investigations did not point to their involvement in the Mawasi strike, emphasizing that part of Mawasi had been designated as a humanitarian zone.
Despite not assigning blame for the incident, the ICRC expressed concern over the damage caused to one of its facilities in the strike. The organization highlighted the dangers posed by firing projectiles in close proximity to humanitarian structures, endangering the lives of both civilians and aid workers. The ICRC also mentioned previous instances where their facilities were hit by stray bullets, underscoring the need for all parties involved in the conflict to take necessary precautions to prevent harm to civilians.
Recent Israeli military operations in Rafah have led to a mass exodus of tens of thousands of individuals to Mawasi, seeking safety from the escalating violence. Reports indicate that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have expanded their operations towards the west and north of Rafah, encountering resistance from Hamas fighters along the way.
