By Gaza, July 2024 – A devastating series of Israeli airstrikes in the Muwasi area west of Khan Younis on Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least 90 people and left hundreds more injured, according to Palestinian health officials. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation was aimed at eliminating two high-ranking Hamas officials: Mohammed Deif, the leader of Al-Qassam Brigades, and Rafa Salama, another senior commander.
The scale of the attack has been described as one of the most severe in recent times, with Palestinian health officials labeling it a “massacre.” The widespread destruction has heightened fears that this strike will severely impact the already fragile cease-fire negotiations currently being mediated in Cairo and Doha.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation. Reuters footage captured harrowing images of men, women, and children fleeing from a massive plume of smoke that rose high into the sky. Many of the fleeing civilians were seen carrying the injured on makeshift stretchers, while others bore the weight of lifeless bodies draped over their arms.
Amid the confusion and terror, a woman stood weeping by a burning, blown-out vehicle. She cried out in despair, “They’re all gone, my whole family’s gone. Where are my brothers? They’re all gone, they’re all gone. There’s no one left.”
Khalil Al-Hayya, the deputy chairman of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, vehemently dismissed Israeli claims that the strike was specifically aimed at Deif. In a statement broadcasted on Al Jazeera, he condemned the operation as a “ridiculous justification” for targeting civilians, emphasizing that such actions only exacerbate the suffering of innocent people.
In a press conference held on Saturday, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari provided details about the operation. Hagari explained that the strike targeted a Hamas compound surrounded by trees, buildings, and sheds, rather than a tent complex, as some reports had suggested. He confirmed that senior Hamas military commanders, including Mohammed Deif and Rafa Salama, were present in the area at the time of the strike. However, he refrained from sharing specific intelligence details, citing ongoing assessments and the need to protect operational security.
Hagari also underscored that the strike was part of a broader strategy to neutralize threats posed by Hamas militants who have been responsible for numerous attacks on Israeli civilians and military personnel.
The humanitarian impact of the strike has been profound. Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with the influx of casualties, many of whom are in critical condition. Medical supplies are running low, and healthcare workers are struggling to provide adequate care to the injured.
International reactions have been swift. Human rights organizations and several countries have called for immediate investigations into the incident. They have urged both parties to exercise restraint and return to the negotiating table to prevent further escalation.
The timing of the strike has added a significant strain to the cease-fire talks facilitated by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. The negotiations, which had shown signs of progress, are now in jeopardy as the latest violence threatens to derail the fragile peace process.
The Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis have marked a deadly escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. As the death toll rises and the humanitarian crisis deepens, the path to a sustainable cease-fire appears increasingly fraught with challenges. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can bring lasting peace to a region long plagued by violence and strife.
NBCNEWS
