At least 40, most of whom were displaced persons who had sought refuge, were reported killed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza, said local rescue crews. The assault was against a crowded encampment, where survivors described a huge explosion that tore through shanties and caused widespread fires.
The attacks struck a congested area with civilians who had already fled earlier bombardments in the ongoing conflict. Rescue workers described traumatic scenes as they retrieved burned bodies and injured survivors from the gutted remains of tents. Dozens of victims were women and children.
Israel stated that it was aiming at Hamas facilities in retaliation for continued hostilities but critics claimed that the rising civilian toll revealed a deepening humanitarian emergency. With asylum choices narrowing daily, thousands of Palestinian refugees have no place safe to go.
Humanitarian aid organizations and human rights groups have denounced the attack, calling for a ceasefire and access to humanitarian and medical assistance. With each passing moment, the death toll in Gaza keeps climbing, and pressure worldwide is growing on both sides to calm down the conflict and save civilians.
