A strike in Khan Younis, Gaza, shows the extent of Israel’s “disregard for Palestinians”, according to an Irish charity.
At least 90 people were killed and almost 300 injured in the bombardment of Al Muwasi displacement camp yesterday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Israel has stated the target of the attack was Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it remained unclear whether Deif and another Hamas commander had been killed and promised to continue to target Hamas leadership.
A man who was living in the camp in Khan Younis said people tried to flee – but it was “attack after attack”.
“Civil Defence came to help - and they were struck and killed in front of me, paramedics were killed,” he said.
“My whole family is either severely injured or killed.
“This was supposed to be a safe place,” he added. “Why did this happen, why?”
Footage showed ambulances racing towards the area amidst clouds of smoke and dust.
![Palestinians evacuate from a site hit by an Israeli bombardment on Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Image: AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi](https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2024/07/14084243/2XHCGXP.jpg)
Oxfam Ireland's Brid McGrath says it shows Israel considers Palestinian life expendable.
“It shows Israel's total disregard for the lives of Palestinians, and it is, yet again, another breach of international law,” she said.
“This area, the Al Muwasi camp, is a confirmed humanitarian zone - that's a so-called Safe Zone where Israeli authorities have encouraged people to go.”
Hamas said Mr Deif had not been killed – and it said Israeli claims it had targeted leaders of the group were false and aimed at justifying the attack.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, in a statement, said he was "shocked and saddened" by the civilian deaths, which underscored that "nowhere is safe in Gaza”.
He said international humanitarian law must be upheld.
Mr Deif has survived seven Israeli assassination attempts, the most recent in 2021, and has topped Israel's most wanted list for decades, held responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings.