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full screen The incident took place near the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, which has long been heavily attacked by Israel. Picture from the end of February. Photo: Mahmoud Essa/AP/TT
Just seconds after people rushed to help a 13-year-old boy injured in an Israeli attack in Gaza, another attack hits the crowd, a video clip that has been circulating shows.
21-year-old journalist Wafaa Thaher in Jabalia in northern Gaza started filming out the window as soon as she heard the explosion.
In the clip, a boy can be seen waving his arms and calling for help. He is half-lying next to a crater and his body is mangled.
– He is a child. Oh God, he’s in pieces. Why did they attack him? says Wafaa Thaher behind the camera.
In the clip, passers-by are seen rushing up to the boy to help him. Then, less than a minute later, there is a whining sound followed by another explosion – a second airstrike has struck right next to the crowd.
The incident took place on October 18, and since then the footage has been circulating on social media.
The American newspaper The Washington Post has spoken to Wafaa Thaher and analyzed the film clip. The boy in question was 13-year-old Mohammed Salem, who died from his injuries, a spokesperson for the Red Crescent told the newspaper. A 14-year-old boy whose feet were blown off in the ensuing attack also died. Over 20 others were injured.
The Washington Post has asked Israel’s military about the attack and received the answer that it is “working to dismantle Hamas’ military and administrative capabilities” and that it is taking “possible precautions to reduce civilian casualties.”
The military did not say why the strike was carried out, or what the target was.