Bombardment close to refugee camps in the Gaza Strip: ICRC confirms more than 20 casualties
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced that an attack on the refugee camp in Al-Mawasi caused a surge of casualties to the nearby Red Cross field hospital. Reportedly, there were 22 fatalities and 45 injuries, with further casualties suspected. The camp, situated near the ICRC office, houses hundreds of refugees in tents. The ICRC expressed concern over attacks near humanitarian installations, claiming such attacks endanger both civilians and Red Cross workers. The locations are well-known to the conflicting parties and are clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem.
ICRC officials have stated that this security incident is one of several in recent days, with their sites having previously been targeted. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza reported 25 fatalities and 50 injuries from the attack, while the Israeli army alleged that they attacked displaced persons' tents near Al-Mawasi.
However, a spokesperson for the Israeli army maintains that there is no evidence to suggest the army executed an attack in the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone. The situation is currently under investigation.
In addition, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry reported that an additional 30 people were killed north of Gaza City on Friday, while the Palestinian Civil Defense reported five fatalities from an attack on a garage in Gaza City. On the other hand, the Israeli military reported that two of their soldiers were killed in Gaza on Friday.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza resulted from a large-scale assault by Hamas on Israel, which, according to Israeli reports, resulted in the deaths of 1194 people and the capture of 251 hostages in Gaza. Since then, Israel has been engaged in extensive military operations in Gaza. As per the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry's unverified reports, over 37,430 people have been killed since the conflict began.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the potential escalation of the conflict. He stated, "The risk of conflict escalation in the Middle East is real. The people in the region and the people around the world cannot afford for Lebanon to become another Gaza." Guterres also criticized the increasingly aggressive rhetoric from both parties. He warned that an overreaction or miscalculation could lead to a catastrophe that extends beyond the border and anyone's imagination.
Since the onset of the conflict in Gaza, Iran-backed and Hamas-allied Hezbollah has launched rockets and drones at Israel. This has already forced tens of thousands of Israelis to flee their homes, with recent days seeing increased threats to the north of Israel. In response, the Israeli army has escalated attacks on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.
On Tuesday, the Israeli army decided on a deployment plan for a potential offensive in Lebanon, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz threatening Hezbollah with their annihilation in a "comprehensive war."
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- The ICRC expressed concern about the proximity of the bombardment to humanitarian installations in the Gaza Strip, such as their office in Rafah.
- The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza reported a high number of casualties from the bombardment, stating 55 people were killed and 100 injured in the Gaza Strip.
- The Israeli army denied any involvement in the attack near Al-Mawasi, and the UN urged both parties to exercise restraint and avoid targeting civilian areas, including Red Cross facilities and displaced persons camps.
- The Red Cross called for an independent investigation into the bombardment, citing the need to protect civilians and ensure accountability for any violations of international humanitarian law.
- The Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, has faced repeated bombardments from Israel in response to rocket attacks, leading to a significant increase in displaced persons living in camps like Al-Mawasi.
- BMG, a humanitarian organization, has been providing aid to displaced persons in the Gaza Strip, calling for an end to the violence and the protection of civilian lives.
- The Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, highlighted the need for de-escalation and dialogue between Israel and Hamas, stressing that the suffering of the people in the Gaza Strip must end.
- The Lebanese government, wary of escalating tensions with Israel, condemned the bombardment and called for an immediate end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
- The Red Cross, ICRC, and other humanitarian organizations continue to work in the Gaza Strip, providing essential services and assistance to the displaced persons and those affected by the conflict.
