At least 19 killed in Israeli strike on Gaza ‘safe zone’ for displaced people | BBC News

Summary

At least 19 people were killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza, targeting a humanitarian zone for displaced Palestinians, according to Hamas-run Health Ministry. The Israeli military claimed to be attacking Hamas terrorists. The strike occurred in the al-Masasi zone, which has been shrinking due to Israeli military actions and now covers only 16 square miles. Survivors reported no warning, and local staff at a UK field hospital described the aftermath, with families buried and shelters set ablaze. Israel stated it used precise weapons against Hamas commanders involved in previous attacks, but casualties included women and children. The incident raises questions about the legality of such actions under international law.

Takeaways

• 🔥 At least 19 people were killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
• 🏞️ The strike targeted an area within the designated humanitarian zone for displaced Palestinians.
• ✈️ The Israeli military claimed it was attacking Hamas terrorists operating in the area.
• 📍 The Almasi humanitarian zone is located in the southwest of Gaza and has been reduced by the Israeli Army.
• 🌍 According to the UN, the zone now spans just 16 square miles, as shown in satellite images.
• 🆘 Survivors reported no warning before the air strikes, which resulted in families being buried and shelters set on fire.
• 🏥 Local staff at a UK field hospital mentioned that shrapnel sliced through tents, indicating the severity of the attack.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Displaced people, including women and children, were among the casualties, with some being buried in rubble.
• 🚨 Israel's Army stated it used precise weapons targeting three Hamas commanders involved in previous attacks.
• 🤔 The script raises questions about whether Israel's actions in the safe zone are in violation of international law.

Q & A

How many people were reportedly killed in the Israeli strike in Gaza according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry?

At least 19 people were killed in the Israeli strike in Gaza.

What was the target of the Israeli military's strike in Gaza?

The Israeli military targeted a number of Hamas terrorists operating in the area.

What is the Al-Masasi humanitarian zone and where is it located?

The Al-Masasi humanitarian zone is an area in the southwest of Gaza designated for displaced Palestinians.

How has the Al-Masasi humanitarian zone been affected by the Israeli Army?

The Israeli Army has been reducing the Al-Masasi humanitarian zone, and according to the UN, it now spans just 16 square miles.

What was the condition of the area after the Israeli air strikes according to the survivors?

Survivors reported that families were buried under rubble, and shelters were set on fire, with no warning given before the air strikes.

What did the local staff at a UK field hospital report about the air strikes?

Local staff reported that shrapnel sliced through tents and there were no fighters in the area, only displaced people.

What was the situation described by a woman displaced from Rafah?

A woman displaced from Rafah described waking up to nothing but sand and fire, with her children screaming, and her two-month-old son covered in sand, but thankfully still alive.

What did Israel's Army claim about the weapons used in the attack?

Israel's Army claimed that it used precise weapons to target three Hamas commanders directly involved in the attacks on October 7th.

Has it been confirmed that the targeted Hamas commanders are among the casualties?

It has not been confirmed that the targeted Hamas commanders are among the casualties.

What did Israel blame Hamas for in relation to the Al-Masasi safe zone?

Israel has blamed Hamas for using the Al-Masasi safe zone as cover and has raised questions over whether this is breaking international law.

Who is Lucy Williamson and what is her role in this context?

Lucy Williamson is a BBC News correspondent reporting from Jerusalem on the situation in Gaza.