DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip. An Israeli airstrike hit a crowded tent camp in Gaza’s Muwasi region early Tuesday, killing at least 19 people and injuring 60 others, according to Palestinian officials. The strike occurred in a humanitarian zone established for displaced civilians seeking shelter from the nearly year-old war between Israel and Hamas.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike, stating that it was targeting senior Hamas militants using precise munitions. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesperson, emphasized the accuracy of the strike, disputing Palestinian casualty figures. In a post on social media platform X, he remarked, “The casualty reports do not line up with the information available to the IDF, the precise weapons used, and the accuracy of the strike.”
However, those on the ground described a devastating scene. Three large craters were visible, as first responders searched the rubble using garden tools, bare hands, and mobile phone flashlights. Among the bodies pulled from the sand were children, women, and the elderly. Iyad Hamed Madi, a resident sheltering in Muwasi, held up a bag of diapers, crying, “This is for my son. He’s 4 months old. Is he a fighter? There’s no humanity.”
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported at least 19 fatalities, but earlier reports from the Civil Defense, operating under the Hamas-run government, stated that 40 people had died. The ministry’s figures, though disputed by Israel, are widely regarded as reliable.
At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where casualties were taken, the scene was one of heartbreak. An Associated Press cameraman counted 10 bodies in the morgue, including two children. Samar Moamer, one of the survivors, recounted her experience: “We were sleeping, and suddenly it was like a tornado.” Her daughter was killed in the strike, while another was miraculously pulled alive from the debris.
Hamas, in response, denied that militants were present in the area, calling Israel’s justification for the attack a “blatant lie.” The group has repeatedly accused Israel of targeting civilian areas, a claim the Israeli government counters by blaming Hamas for embedding military operations within civilian zones.
The airstrike in Muwasi is reminiscent of a previous attack in July when Israel targeted the humanitarian zone, killing at least 90 Palestinians. The IDF claimed it had successfully killed Mohammed Deif, the elusive leader of Hamas’ military wing, though Hamas insisted Deif survived the strike.
The war, which began after Hamas militants launched a deadly assault on Israel on October 7, has displaced 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants during the conflict, while Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 41,000 Palestinians have died, with women and children comprising half of the casualties.
International efforts to broker a cease-fire, led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have repeatedly stalled. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the urgency of a truce, stating, “The shocking deaths in Khan Younis only reinforce how desperately needed that cease-fire is.”
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, aid organizations, including the United Nations, have struggled to provide essential services. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), reported that a U.N. convoy was held at gunpoint for hours by Israeli forces despite prior coordination.
The ongoing war has brought Gaza to the brink of famine, with critical infrastructure destroyed and law and order breaking down. As the violence continues, the toll on both sides remains devastating, with no immediate end in sight.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
