Israeli airstrikes on largest refugee camp kill dozens

Dozens have been killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia, the largest refugee camp in Gaza on Tuesday.

The local health officials estimate at least 50 civilians were killed in this attack, adding to the more than 8,000 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis killed since Oct 7.

Eyewitnesses said missiles fell on the refugee camp in the north of Gaza as civilians were queuing for bread, CNN reported.

Hamas said about 400 were dead and injured in the attack on Jabalia, which has housed refugees from wars with Israel since 1948, Reuters reported.

The Israel Defence Forces said it attacked the refugee camp to wipe out Hamas combatants located there.

Its spokesperson, Richard Hecht, told CNN the IDF was targeting Ibrahim Biari, a Hamas “senior commander”, whom he said was killed.

The IDF said Biari was a ringleader of Hamas’ Oct 7 attack on Israel, where more than 200 were taken hostage.

However, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem denied any senior commander was there and called the claim an Israeli pretext for killing civilians, Reuters reported.

Asked by CNN why IDF dropped explosives there knowing it is an area packed with refugees, Hecht said: “This is the tragedy of war. We have been saying for days, ‘Move South, those who are not involved with Hamas’.”

This is despite the UN confirming reports that Southern Gaza has also been bombarded.

Generations of families wiped out

Among those killed in Jabalia were 19 family members of broadcaster Al Jazeera’s employee Mohamed Abu Al-Qumsan.

“This unforgivable act, during the Jabaliya massacre, claimed the lives of Mohamed’s father, two sisters, eight nephews and nieces, his brother, his brother’s wife, and their four children, his sister-in-law and one uncle,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

“These Israeli crimes against the civilians must not go without being held accountable and face the full force of international justice.

“We urge the international community to address this grave injustice with utmost urgency for justice to be served for the families of Mohamed and countless other innocent Gazan civilians who lost their loved ones,” it said.

‘More hostages to be released’

Meanwhile, Hamas negotiators say it will release more foreign hostages in the next few days, Reuters reported.

Hamas has released four women, two Americans and two elderly Israelis, since Oct 7.

The newswire also reported that 81 severely wounded Gazans will be evacuated for treatment in Egypt via the Rafah crossing.

Aid agencies have reported severe shortages of water, food, fuel, and medicines, with aid only able to trickle into the blockaded Gaza Strip.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said it received 59 trucks of aid via the Rafah crossing yesterday, bringing the total number of aid trucks which managed to cross over to 217.

This is a fraction of the 100 trucks of aid a day, which the UN said Gaza received before the start of the ongoing violence.

Fuel is still not allowed to enter, because Israel claims it is being hoarded by Hamas. - Mkini