An Israeli airstrike on a crowded tent camp housing Palestinians displaced by the war in Gaza has killed at least 19 people and wounded 60 more, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Local officials report at least four missiles struck the camp, which is situated in a designated humanitarian zone in Muwasi.
Gaza’s Civil Defence, the first responders who operate under the Hamas-run government, said the strike left craters up to 10 metres deep.
Israel disputes the Gazan Health Ministry’s death toll, saying its forces used precise munitions, aerial surveillance and other means to target Hamas militants while avoiding civilians.
Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths, alleging that the group operates from residential areas and places tunnels, rocket launchers, and other infrastructure near homes, schools, and mosques.
Meanwhile, Hamas released a statement denying any militants were in the area. Neither Israel nor Hamas provided evidence to substantiate their claims.
Israeli military takes responsibility for death of US activist
It comes as the Israeli military admitted that an American activist killed while protesting in the West Bank last week was likely shot “indirectly and unintentionally” by soldiers.
Israeli forces were firing upon participants in a demonstration against settlements in the territory.
Israel expressed its “deepest regret” for the death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old activist from Seattle who also held Turkish citizenship, and said a criminal investigation has been launched.
The statement was sharply criticised by both US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Aysenur’s family.
“No one should be shot while attending a protest,” Blinken said when he was asked about the Israeli inquiry at a news conference in London.
“The Israeli security forces need to make some fundamental changes in the way they operate in the West Bank,” he added.
Meanwhile, Eygi’s family in the US released a statement saying “we are deeply offended by the suggestion that her killing by a trained sniper was in any way unintentional. The disregard shown for human life in the inquiry is appalling.”
