Wikipedia

13 July 2024 Al-Mawasi airstrikes

(Redirected from 13 July 2024 al-Mawasi attack)

On 13 July 2024, Israeli airstrikes hit the Al-Mawasi area of the Gaza Strip. Israel said that the strike was an attempt to assassinate the military commander of Hamas, Mohammed Deif, as well as Rafa Salama.[1] As of 14 July 2024, Israel was still investigating whether Deif had been killed, while Hamas said that Deif was still alive[2] and called the airstrikes a "massacre".[1] The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 90 Palestinians were killed, while at least another 300 were injured.[3]

July 2024 Al-Mawasi airstrikes
Part of the Israel–Hamas war and Rafah offensive
Al-Mawasi is located in the Gaza Strip
Al-Mawasi
Al-Mawasi
LocationAl-Mawasi, Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip
Date13 July 2024
TargetAttempted assassination of Mohammed Deif and Rafi Salama (per IDF)
Attack type
Airstrikes, massacre
Deaths90
Injured300
Perpetrator Israeli Air Force

Background

During the Israel–Hamas war, many civilians in Gaza were ordered by Israel to evacuate to humanitarian safe zones. In December 2023, the Israel Defense Forces had declared Al-Mawasi a humanitarian safe zone[4] but had attacked it in May and June 2024.[5][6] In the weeks preceding the attacks, Israel had expanded the "safe zone" to parts of Khan Yunis, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians had evacuated there.[7]

The IDF said that it had intelligence that Mohammed Deif and another Hamas commander, Rafa Salama, were located in a "compound" bordering the al-Mawasi area safe zone. Mohammed Deif is known for evading multiple assassination attempts by Israel. Allegedly, both Deif and Salama were key planners of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.[8][9]

An IDF spokesperson said:“If Hamas senior leaders think they’ll build a compound and hide in a compound in an area where we called for them [civilians] to move to, we will hunt them down"[7] Al Jazeera correspondent, Hamdah Salhut, said that Israeli forces "commonly" claim civilians are being used as human shields by Hamas to justify attacking safe zones: “We have seen time and time again attacks on areas where there are displaced Palestinians in the tens of thousands."[9]

Airstrikes

According to a Palestinian civil defence spokesperson, the Israeli attack targeted several tents housing displaced Palestinians as well as a separate house located some distance away.[7] The IDF said that it had targeted Mohammed Deif with at least five precision-guided missiles directed at a building located in a "civilian environment" not a tent camp.[10][11]

Based on videos and photos, The New York Times concluded that two airstrikes had occurred— the first hit a building and left a 60 foot crater consistent with a 2,000 pound bomb. The second, smaller strike hit a busy street immediately in front of two emergency rescue vehicles about 100 yards away from the building. Two military experts said that the Israeli soldiers launching the airstrikes would have been able to see the marked emergency vehicles: "any Hamas targets carry enough military necessity that any civilian loss is considered proportional.[11]

According to a local Al Jazeera correspondent, warplanes hit Al-Mawasi with "five bombs and five missiles".[12] An eyewitness reported that the site of the airstrike looked like an "earthquake" had hit.[8] A correspondent for The New Arab reported that Israeli airstrikes also targeted rescue teams as they attempted to help wounded victims, killing some rescuers.[13]

Aftermath and death toll

The PRCS said that its ambulance crews have attended to 102 injured patients and recovered 23 bodies after the attack, 20 of the wounded and 21 bodies were transferred to the Red Crescent’s al-Quds Field Hospital, and 22 of the injured were transferred to al-Amal Hospital.[14]

According to Medical Aid for Palestinians, Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis is "overwhelmed" and unable to take in the large numbers of wounded patients.[8] A United Nations official, Scott Anderson, described the aftermath at Nasser Hospital as "some of the most horrific scenes I have seen in my nine months in Gaza".[15]

Eyewitnesses said that after the attack, squadrons of quadcopter aircraft that waited for the ambulance and civil defence teams and opened fire as soon as they arrived.[16]

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that there were at least 90 dead and at least 300 wounded in what it called a "brutal massacre by the occupation".[3][13] According to Hamas spokesperson Abu Zhuri, all those killed were civilians.[17]

Two Palestinian Civil Defence members were killed by the attack.[18]

The IDF said that it was in the process of verifying whether Mohammed Deif was killed in the airstrikes.[19] According to the Saudi channel Al-Hadath, Rafa Salama was killed in the strike while Deif was seriously wounded.[20]

According to both Israeli and Hamas sources, the attack on al-Mawasi has impacted the ceasefire negotiations, but they are still ongoing.[21][15]

Reactions

Domestic

  •   Israel: The Israel Defense Forces said Mohammed Deif and the commander of Hamas in Khan Younis were in the compound.[22] The IDF stated: "Our attack in Mawasi Khan Yunis targets Al-Deif, the commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade, Rafi Salama, and other Hamas activists". It has also claimed that it acted on "precise intelligence" to hit an area where "two senior Hamas terrorists" were hiding.[12] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "The Middle East and the entire world will be better if this mass murderer is gone".[7] David Horovitz wrote that Deif's death would be a "major practical loss" for Hamas in terms of their ability to continue the war and rebuild afterwards.[23]
  •   Hamas: Hamas dismissed the IDF's claims that it had killed Mohammed Deif, labeling them as "false allegations" that aimed to "cover up the scale of the horrific massacre".[1] Hamas also stated that "It is not the first time Israel claims to target Palestinian leaders, only to be proven false later".[8] In a statement, Hamas announced: "The al-Mawasi massacre in Khan Younis has been committed against an area that is crowded with more than 80,000 displaced people. This is an obvious and clear confirmation from the Zionist government that it will continuing its war of extermination against our Palestinian people, through repeatedly and systematically targeting the defenceless displaced civilians in tents, shelters and residential neighbourhoods".[12] The group made a statement on Telegram calling for the Palestinians of the West Bank and East Jerusalem to "mobilize" in response to the strike.[24]
  •   Palestine: Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for the Palestinian Authority said that US bears responsibility for Israel's actions, also stated that "The massacre in al-Mawasi is a continuation of the genocidal war against our people".[25] Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has condemned Israel's "genocidal crimes" in Gaza.[26] Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said that Israel and the US were responsible for the attack on al-Mawasi.[27]
  • Palestinian Islamic Jihad: the movement condemned the attack, stating that "The horrific massacre committed by the Zionist entity in al-Mawasi near Khan Younis is an insistence on continuing the war of extermination against our people,"[28]

International

  •   Colombia: President Gustavo Petro stated that he was outraged after the attack on X.[30]
  •   Egypt: The Foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack.[31]
  •   European Union: Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called for "access to independent investigations and accountability".[32]
  •   Gulf Cooperation Council: Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has condemned the attack, saying that the raid was "evidence of the series of systematic and ongoing Israeli crimes against the brotherly Palestinian people".[33]
  •   Hezbollah: Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said: "Today, the occupation carried out a large massacre against displaced people in al-Mawasi in Khan Younis. Then it justified it by saying it wanted to target [Hamas] leaders," further saying "Are there worse injustices and oppression in the world?"[34]
  •   Houthi movement: The group condemned the attack, calling Israel's leaders "war criminals" and stated that "The enemy's false claims about targeting leaders in the Palestinian resistance cannot cover up the ugliness of its crimes,".[35]
  •   Iran: Nasser Kanaani, a spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry condemned the attack, stating on X that the attack was the "latest crime in the series of crimes committed by the child-killing Zionist regime".[36]
  •   Jordan: Foreign ministry spokesperson Sufyan al-Qudah condemned the attack.[37]
  •   Malaysia: The foreign ministry condemned the attack, stating that "This heinous and appalling attack, which took place inside an area Israel designated itself as a safe zone for Palestinians, is a flagrant disregard for all human life,".[34]
  •   Oman: The country called the attack "an explicit act of terrorism and new evidence of the policy of deliberate extermination… towards the Palestinian people".[34]
  •   Organisation of Islamic Cooperation: The organization strongly condemned Israel's "heinous massacres" in al-Mawasi as well as in Khan Younis and the Shati refugee camp, saying that it considers the attacks an "extension of the crime of genocide that the Israeli occupation continues to commit against Palestinian civilians, in blatant defiance of" the ICJ.[38]
  •   Qatar: The country calls the attack "a brutal and shocking massacre, and a new incident to be added to the ongoing series of occupation crimes against the Palestinian people and all of humanity", the foreign ministry calls for an international action against Israel.[39]
  •   Saudi Arabia: The Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack and called for "activating international accountability mechanisms" against Israel.[40]
  •   Turkey: The ministry of Foreign Affairs called the attack "a phase of the Netanyahu government’s effort to annihilate the Palestinians entirely", stating that all countries should stop Israel's "barbarism".[34]
  •   United Arab Emirates: The country denounced Israeli abuses in Gaza, including "the most recent targeting of camps for displaced people in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, which led to numerous deaths and injuries to dozens of innocent civilians".[34]
  •   United Nations: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "shocked and saddened" by the Israeli attack.[34]

Other groups

  • ActionAid: the humanitarian group condemned the attack.[41]
  • Council on American–Islamic Relations: The group calls for the end of US support on Israel.[42]
  • Islamic Relief: The charity organization condemned the "brutal killing and wounding of hundreds of civilians".[43]
  • Médecins Sans Frontières: Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, the deputy medical coordinator stated "I have never seen a mass casualty event like [Saturday],".[44]
  • Medical Aid for Palestinians: The UK-based charity organization calls for the British government to "act urgently to suspend arms sales to Israel and prevent further atrocities".[45]
  • Oxfam: The UK-based organization condemned the attack.[46]
  •   UNICEF: Chief Catherine Russell stated that "Children must be protected. Hostages must be released. The suffering must end," after the attack.[47]
  •   UNRWA: Chief Philippe Lazzarini quoted a Palestinian mother that lost her 8-year-old child and had another one injured by the attack, she further stated that "Yesterday's attack and the mass casualties are a stark reminder that no one is safe in Gaza, wherever they are".[48]

Protests

The same day as the airstrikes, Israeli demonstrations occurred in Jerusalem to call for a ceasefire and a hostage deal. Demonstrators condemned the attack and called it an "unfortunate event".[49]

Hundreds of Palestinian protested in the West Bank against Israel's attacks on Al-Mawasi and Al-Shati camp which killed at least 22 people, protests were held in the cities of Ramallah, Jenin, Hebron and Tubas.[50]

References

  1. ^ a b c Bisset, Victoria; Chamaa, Mohamad El (2024-07-13). "Israel targets Hamas military leader; 71 killed in Mawasi strike, officials say". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  2. ^ Lieber, Dov (2024-07-14). "Israel Seeks Proof of Whether Strike Killed Hamas Military Chief". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-07-14.
  3. ^ a b Gadzo, Mersiha. "Israel's war on Gaza updates: Israeli strikes on al-Mawasi kill at least 90". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  4. ^ "Palestinians, aid groups say Israel-designated safe zone in Gaza offers little relief". The Times of Israel. 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  5. ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (28 May 2024). "Israeli tanks hit evacuation zone west of Rafah". Reuters.
  6. ^ Sankar, Anjana (2024-06-21). "Strike on Area Where Displaced Gazans Were Camped Kills Up to 25". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  7. ^ a b c d "Dozens dead after Israeli air strikes target top Hamas commander". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  8. ^ a b c d "Hamas-run health ministry says at least 71 killed in strike on Gaza's al Mawasi". BBC News. 2024-07-13. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  9. ^ a b "Israeli attack on al-Mawasi kills at least 90 people: What we know so far". Al Jazeera. 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  10. ^ "Hamas denies it has withdrawn from hostage-truce talks after latest Israeli attacks". Times of Israel. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  11. ^ a b Mellen, Riley (2024-07-14). "Israel Struck Twice in Its Attack on Al-Mawasi, Videos and Photos Show". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  12. ^ a b c "Over 70 killed in Israeli strikes on al-Mawasi 'safe zone' in south Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  13. ^ a b "Israeli strike on Gaza 'safe zone' camp kills 71, rescuers also targeted". The New Arab. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  14. ^ "PRCS says it attended to 102 people wounded in al-Mawasi attack". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Hamas says Gaza ceasefire talks still ongoing, claims military chief survived Israeli strike on camp". France 24. 2024-07-14. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  16. ^ "Israeli forces targeted rescue teams as soon as they arrived: Witnesses". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  17. ^ Rossi, Alex (2024-07-13). "Israel targets 7 October mastermind in airstrike Gaza officials say killed at least 90". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  18. ^ "Second civil defence member killed in Gaza". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  19. ^ Diamond, Jeremy (2024-07-13). "Israel targets Hamas military chief in strike Palestinian officials say killed at least 70 people". CNN. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  20. ^ Tondo, Lorenzo; Tantesh, Malak A. (2024-07-13). "Hamas mastermind of 7 October attack target of deadly Gaza strike, claims Israel". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  21. ^ Lis, Jonathan (2024-07-15). "Attempt to Kill Deif Hurt Cease-fire Negotiations With Hamas, Israeli Sources Say". Haaretz.
  22. ^ זיתון, יואב (2024-07-13). "צה"ל מאשר: ניסינו לחסל את מוחמד דף במתחם מחבלים, מחכים לתוצאות התקיפה". Ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  23. ^ Horowitz, David (2024-07-14). "Muhammad Deif's death would be a turning point in the war on Hamas". The Times of Israel.
  24. ^ "Hamas calls on West Bank Palestinians to protest for Gaza". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  25. ^ "US bears responsibility for continuation of massacres: PA". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Palestinian PM condemns Israel's 'genocidal crimes' in Gaza". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Palestinian president blames Israel, US for 'slaughter' in Gaza". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  28. ^ "PIJ condemns Israel for 'premeditated' al-Mawasi massacre". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Brazil slams 'endless massacre' in Gaza after bombings". Al Jazeera. 14 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Colombian president slams Israeli attack on al-Mawasi". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  31. ^ "Egypt says attacks against Palestinians complicate deal efforts". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  32. ^ "EU's Borrell calls for independent probe into al-Mawasi attack". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  33. ^ "GCC says Israel's attack on al-Mawasi evidence of 'systematic' crimes". Al Jazeera. 14 July 2024.
  34. ^ a b c d e f "'Shocking and brutal massacre': World reacts to Israel's al-Mawasi attacks". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
  35. ^ "Houthis say 'false claims' cannot cover up al-Mawasi massacre". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Iran's Foreign Ministry condemns Israel's attack on al-Mawasi". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Jordan denounces Israeli attack on al-Mawasi". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  38. ^ "OIC condemns Israel's 'heinous massacres' across Gaza". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  39. ^ "Qatar condemns 'horrific Israeli massacre of displaced people in Gaza'". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  40. ^ "Saudi Arabia condemns al-Mawasi attack". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  41. ^ "Action Aid denounces Israeli attack on al-Mawasi". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  42. ^ "US Muslim group to Biden: 'Stop enabling these daily massacres'". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  43. ^ "'A terrifying precedent for a nation state to set'". Al Jazeera. 15 July 2024.
  44. ^ "Never seen mass casualty event like al-Mawasi: MSF doctor". Al Jazeera. 14 July 2024.
  45. ^ "British charity calls for UK government to suspend arms sales to Israel". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  46. ^ "Oxfam slams 'abhorrent complicity' of countries arming Israel". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  47. ^ "UNICEF chief decries 'another brutal week for children in Gaza'". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
  48. ^ "'They told me I would be safe here': UNRWA chief quotes al-Mawasi survivor". Al Jazeera. 14 July 2024.
  49. ^ "Israeli protesters calling for captive deal condemn deadly Gaza air raid". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  50. ^ "Palestinians in West Bank denounce Gaza attacks". Al Jazeera. 13 July 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=13_July_2024_Al-Mawasi_airstrikes&oldid=1234990441"