Five Killed in Urgent Israeli Strikes on Shelter Camp Near Khan Yunis

UPDATE: In a devastating strike today, five people, including two children aged just 8 and 10, were killed in an Israeli missile attack on a shelter camp near Khan Yunis, Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed that the strike targeted a “Hamas terrorist” following a clash that injured five Israeli soldiers.

According to Gaza’s Civil Defence agency, the strike occurred around 4 PM local time in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Yunis. Civil Defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal reported, “Five citizens, including two children, were killed, and others injured, some seriously.” The Kuwaiti Field Hospital nearby confirmed the fatalities and reported an additional 32 people wounded.

This tragic incident comes amidst a fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States that began on October 10. Although the ceasefire has temporarily halted large-scale fighting, both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating its terms. Since its initiation, 360 Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli fire, while Israel has lost three soldiers during this period.

The Israeli military detailed earlier today that during operations in eastern Rafah, soldiers encountered militants from an underground network, resulting in a severe injury to one Israeli combat soldier and moderate injuries to two others. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured soldiers, while accusing Hamas of breaching the ceasefire agreement.

Local sources reported that around the same time as the strike, intense artillery shelling and gunfire erupted from Israeli forces east of Rafah city, accompanied by the presence of an Israeli helicopter. The military stated it had eliminated more than 40 militants in recent operations targeting tunnels in Rafah, where many Hamas fighters are believed to be sheltered.

As tensions escalate, negotiations continue regarding the fate of the remaining fighters hiding in Gaza’s tunnel networks. A prominent Hamas member recently estimated their number to be between 60 and 80.

The situation remains fluid and continues to develop. Authorities and humanitarian organizations are closely monitoring the aftermath of the strike and its implications for the fragile ceasefire in the region.