Israeli air strike kills 70 Palestinians in Gaza refugee camp – execs
A flare falls over Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, December 24, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
CAIRO — An Israeli air strike that hit central Gaza’s Maghazi refugee camp has killed 70 people, Palestinian health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said Sunday, and he said the death toll was likely to climb.
“What is happening at the Maghazi camp is a massacre that is being committed on a crowded residential square,” al-Qidra said.
The Israeli military said it was reviewing the incident.
READ: Israeli air strikes hit Gaza hospitals, say Palestinian officials
“Despite the challenges posed by Hamas terrorists operating within civilian areas in Gaza, the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) is committed to international law including taking feasible steps to minimize harm to civilians,” an Israeli army spokesperson said in a statement.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which runs Gaza, issued a statement calling the air strike “a horrific massacre” and said it was “a new war crime.”
Article continues after this advertisementMore than a week ago, Palestinian media said at least 14 people died from strikes that hit two houses on Old Gaza Street in Jabalia, and dozens were killed in a strike that hit another home in Jabalia.
READ: Israel air strikes kill dozens, says Palestinian media reports
the official WAFA news agency also reported that a large number of civilians were trapped under rubble.
Israeli military said its aircraft targeted a building in Jabalia after its forces come under fire and a number of Hamas militants were identified on the roof. It was unclear if the building was one of those that WAFA reported hit.
The military said its forces killed militants holed up in two schools in Gaza City and raided apartments in Khan Younis stocked with weapons, and uncovered what it described as underground infrastructure used by Hamas.
READ: Israel strikes Gaza, Syria, West Bank as war threatens to ignite other fronts
