The health ministry in Gaza, operated by Hamas, reported that at least 71 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a designated humanitarian zone. This attack, which Israel claims was aimed at senior Hamas leaders, also resulted in more than 289 injuries, according to the health ministry’s statement.
The airstrike struck the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis, an area designated by the Israeli military as a humanitarian zone, where Palestinians were urged to seek refuge.
Despite this, an Israeli military official stated they did not have information on the number of casualties and did not confirm whether the two targeted Hamas leaders were among those killed or injured.
The official mentioned that the strike targeted Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’s military wing and a primary target for Israel, and took place in an “open area” purportedly devoid of civilians.
However, the official did not confirm whether this area was within the designated safe zone, instead accusing Hamas leaders of setting up operations in civilian areas.
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BBC Verify analyzed footage from the aftermath of the strike, confirming that it occurred within the area marked as a humanitarian zone on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) website. The official also stated he was unaware of any hostages from the October 7 attack on Israel being in the area.
Additionally, the Israeli military targeted Rafa Salama, the Hamas commander for Khan Younis, claiming that the strike was based on “accurate intelligence” gathered beforehand.
However, Hamas refuted the claims that their leaders were the targets, stating, “It is not the first time Israel claims to target Palestinian leaders, only to be proven false later.”
Eyewitnesses in al-Mawasi described to BBC the aftermath as resembling the aftermath of an “earthquake,” with videos showing smoldering wreckage and bloodied casualties being loaded onto stretchers. People were seen desperately digging through the rubble of a large crater with their hands, trying to find survivors.
Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, is one of Israel’s most wanted figures. He has gained near-mythical status in Gaza, having escaped capture and survived multiple assassination attempts, including one in 2002 that cost him an eye. Imprisoned by Israeli authorities in 1989, Deif later formed the Brigades with the goal of capturing Israeli soldiers.