Al Jazeera and the AFP news agency have reported that at least 50 people died in Tuesday’s attack on the Jabalia refugee camp, citing witness statements and video footage from the scene. The Israeli military, the IDF, states that the aim of the attack was to knock out Hamas’ control of the area. According to the IDF, among other things, a Hamas commander must have been killed, something that Hamas denies.
At the same time, the information on the number of dead and injured is fragmented and no death toll has been able to be verified by independent parties.
According to the UN, at least 116,000 live in the camp, which is the largest in Gaza. It consists of a very densely built-up area with, among other things, schools and health centres. The camp is located within the zone where Israel has urged residents to evacuate to the south.
Condemned in the outside world
The attack has led to strong reactions in several places around the world. In a post on X MSF condemns what it calls “the latest episode of senseless violence”. Several countries have also expressed their disgust, including Qatar and Jordan.
At the same time, extensive pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been seen in, among other places London and Qatar, reports Al Jazeera.
Hamas: The hostage was killed
Hamas’ armed wing claims seven hostages were killed in the attack, Reuters reports. Three of them are said to have had foreign citizenships. The data could not be confirmed by an independent source.