Israel's military has denied carrying out strikes on a designated 'safe zone' in Gaza, contradicting reports from the official Palestinian news agency WAFA. The region in question, Al-Mawasi, located west of Rafah, was reportedly bombarded with land, sea, and air strikes, including heavy machine gun fire from navy boats. However, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) refuted these claims, stating that they did not target the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi.
The conflicting reports come amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with no public commitment to a deal yet. Hamas has expressed willingness to reach an agreement based on the just demands of the Palestinian people, while the US has raised concerns about the group's commitment to the negotiations.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 550,000 people crowded into Al-Mawasi, where sanitation facilities are severely lacking. The United Nations has deemed the living conditions in the area unsuitable for the large number of displaced individuals.
Recent military operations in Gaza have further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with reports of casualties and mass displacement. Israel's rescue operation to free hostages held by Hamas resulted in conflicting casualty figures, highlighting the ongoing violence and instability in the region.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the escalating crisis and work towards a lasting peace agreement in Gaza.
