Israel Palestinians: dead in attacks on humanitarian zone

According to Palestinian reports, at least 71 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a humanitarian zone in the south of the Gaza Strip. According to unconfirmed Israeli media reports, the target was the leader of the military arm of Hamas, Mohammed Deif. It remains unclear whether Deif was hit, injured or killed.

When asked, Israel's army did not initially comment on the reports by the newspaper "Israel Hayom" and the Israeli Kan channel.

Israel's Foreign Ministry announced that Defense Minister Joav Galant had recently conducted an assessment of the operational situation with Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi and the head of the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, "in view of the developments in Gaza".

At least 289 other people were injured in the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. Many of them were in mortal danger, according to medical circles. According to the report, tents of displaced people were hit. The information could not initially be independently verified. When asked, Israel's army said it was investigating the reports.

One of Israel's goals in the Gaza war is to capture or kill Deif and the Hamas leader in the coastal area, Jihia al-Sinwar. They are considered the two most important leaders of the organization within the Gaza Strip. In March, the army reported the killing of the third most senior Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Marwan Issa.

According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, there were several fierce attacks in the area in the morning. Staff at the nearby Nasser Hospital reported that there were no longer enough beds to accommodate the large number of injured following the attacks.

Israel's army had previously announced today that operations were continuing throughout the Gaza Strip. In Rafah, forces destroyed numerous tunnels on Friday and killed several members of Hamas. Fighting continued in the city of Gaza.

SDA