Israeli Strike on Gaza Tent Camp Kills 40, Leaves 60 Injured

At least 40 Palestinians lost their lives, and 60 others were injured after an Israeli airstrike hit a crowded tent camp in Gaza early Tuesday. The camp, located in Al-Mawasi near Khan Younis, housed displaced civilians fleeing the ongoing conflict. According to emergency services, 20 tents caught fire during the attack. Israel stated the target was a Hamas command center, though Hamas denied the presence of any militants in the area.

The Civil Defense, operating under the Hamas-led government, reported recovering 40 bodies from the camp. They feared entire families were killed inside their tents during the strike.

Al-Mawasi, designated as a humanitarian zone, has become a refuge for thousands of displaced Gazans. However, despite its status, the area has been subject to sporadic airstrikes. Aid organizations are facing immense challenges in providing basic services to the displaced.

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Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which received casualties from the strike, confirmed that around two dozen bodies were brought in. First responders, using basic tools and their bare hands, searched the rubble for survivors in the aftermath of the attack.

The Israeli military defended the airstrike, claiming it was targeting a Hamas command-and-control center. However, neither Israel nor Hamas has offered clear evidence to back their claims.

The war in Gaza has forced nearly 90% of the 2.3 million residents to flee their homes, leaving the region devastated. Over 40,000 Palestinians have been reported killed since the conflict began. On the other side, Hamas militants killed 1,200 civilians during an attack in October, and around 100 hostages are still being held.

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In a separate development, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that Israeli forces delayed a humanitarian convoy for over eight hours on Monday. The convoy was part of a polio vaccination campaign for 640,000 children, as Gaza’s healthcare system continues to collapse under the weight of the war.