Israeli Strike on Al-Mawasi “Safe Zone” Kills at Least 40

Victor Okeyo

In the early hours of the morning, an Israeli airstrike targeted an encampment in al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, killing at least 40 people and injuring 60 others, according to Gaza health officials.

The attack struck an area where thousands of displaced Palestinians had sought refuge after the Israeli military had designated it as a “safe zone” amid ongoing ground operations in southern Gaza.

The Israeli army said the strike was aimed at Samer Ismail Hader Abudaqa, a senior Hamas figure it identified as the head of the group’s aerial unit. However, the military did not confirm whether Abudaqa was killed or injured in the strike. Hamas has strongly denied the Israeli claim, calling it a “clear lie.”

“The people were buried in the sand. They were retrieved as body parts,” al-Shaar told the Associated Press. [Hani Alshaer]

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes in the aftermath of the bombing, with families torn apart by the sudden destruction. Attaf al-Shaar, a resident who had fled from Rafah, said the attack occurred just after midnight and triggered a fire. “The people were buried in the sand. They were retrieved as body parts,” al-Shaar told the Associated Press.

The coastal al-Mawasi area has become a temporary home to nearly half of Gaza’s population, many of whom have been living in tents, believing it to be a safe zone away from the heavy fighting in Khan Younis and Rafah. But the strike has shattered that perception, leaving families grieving and terrified.

al-Mawasi area has become a temporary home to nearly half of Gaza’s population, many of whom have been living in tents, believing it to be a safe zone away from the heavy fighting in Khan Younis and Rafah. But the strike has shattered that perception, leaving families grieving and terrified. [Hani Alshaer]

Rescue efforts are ongoing, with civil defense workers and volunteers frantically digging through the rubble with their bare hands to search for survivors. Many fear the death toll could rise, as dozens of people remain unaccounted for, and the number of critically injured threatens to overwhelm the already strained healthcare system in Gaza.

Gaza authorities have expressed alarm over the humanitarian crisis, citing the lack of basic medical supplies and Israel’s restrictions on aid delivery. In response to the casualty figures released by Gaza’s health ministry, the Israeli military questioned the accuracy, citing the type of weapon used in the strike and its intended precision.

However, the United Nations has consistently backed the credibility of the figures provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The bombing of a designated “safe zone” has drawn widespread outrage from Palestinian officials and humanitarian groups. They argue that areas meant to shelter civilians from combat should not be targets for military action.

With the conflict intensifying and civilians bearing the brunt of the violence, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, leaving many in desperate need of safety and aid.