About 40 displaced Palestinians, who sought shelter in tents due to the ongoing Israeli war, were brutally murdered, and 60 others were injured in the Israeli airstrikes on Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
"Israeli warplanes launched rockets at tents housing displaced Palestinians at the entrance to Muwasi in Khan Younis, causing widespread destruction and resulting in numerous casualties," Palestinian medics told Xinhua news agency.
Dr Mohammed Al-Mughair, director of supply at the Civil Defense, confirmed that rescue teams had recovered 40 bodies and come to the aid of more than 60 injured individuals.
He said that the bombardment created craters up to nine meters deep, suggesting the Israeli use of explosive missiles. "We are facing one of the most horrific massacres committed in this war," he lamented.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said that the attack targeted senior Hamas leaders operating from a hidden command centre in a humanitarian area of Khan Younis.
These individuals, he said, were involved in planning and executing "terrorist operations" against the army and Israeli civilians.
Adraee added that the army took extensive measures to reduce civilian casualties.
Hamas has not yet commented on these reports.
Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others taken hostage.
Source: IANS