Gaza war
Israeli attacks in refugee neighborhoods: search for dead
Smoke rises over the Gaza Strip after an Israeli bombardment. photo
© Ariel Schalit/AP/dpa
On Friday, the Israeli army called on people in the Al-Maghasi refugee district to flee. But many people may not have even received the warning. The Hamas ministry reports more than 70 dead.
After heavy Israeli attacks in the central section of the People in the Gaza Strip continue to search for the dead in the rubble. The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health spoke of a large number of dead and injured people, whose rescue efforts were underway.
According to information, more than 70 people were killed in air strikes in the refugee district of Al-Maghasi. The information has not yet been independently verified.
Videos circulating on social networks showed dozens of white body bags. Women and children are also among the victims. Reports of air strikes also came from the refugee district of Al-Bureij.
Many people do not receive warnings
The Israeli army called on people in Al-Bureij to flee on Friday. They should go to shelters in Deir al-Balah, about six kilometers further south. However, many residents of the embattled coastal strip have neither electricity nor internet. Many people are not even reached by such warnings. There were also attacks in areas that the Israeli army had described as safe.
There are no shelters such as bunkers for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The Islamist Hamas does not open an extensive tunnel system deep underground to civilians seeking protection.
Israeli army announces review
According to the UN, more than 33,000 people live in Al-Maghasi in an area of 0.6 square kilometers. The Israeli army said it was investigating reports of attacks in the neighborhood. “Despite the challenges posed by Hamas terrorists operating in civilian areas in Gaza, the Israeli army is committed to international law and is taking feasible steps to minimize civilian harm,” the statement said.
According to the Gaza health authority, more than 20,400 people have been killed in the coastal area so far. Given the high number of civilian casualties, the military operation has been heavily criticized internationally. The Gaza war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel’s history, which terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups carried out in Israel on October 7th.