I woke up to the sound of the explosion. I called my 3 sleeping sons, but no one answered– Resident

An overnight Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed Mahmoud Salah, the chief of Hamas’s police force, his deputy Hussam Shahwan, and nine civilians, including three children and two women. The strike targeted a tent camp in al-Mawasi, near Khan Younis, which sheltered displaced families. The attack left scenes of devastation, with destroyed tents, blood-stained mattresses, and grieving families. The al-Bardawil family suffered a particularly tragic loss, as three young brothers were killed in their sleep....CONTINUE READING>>>

In a report by Arise News, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation, stating it targeted Shahwan for his role in aiding Hamas’s military activities. While the IDF claimed efforts to minimize civilian casualties, the broader campaign against Hamas has caused significant loss of life and destruction. On the same day, six others died in a separate strike on Hamas operatives at a headquarters in Khan Younis, described by Israel as a command center embedded in a municipal building.

Al-Mawasi, declared a “humanitarian zone” by Israeli forces, has been repeatedly targeted under allegations that Hamas uses civilians as shields. The ongoing violence in Gaza has worsened conditions for displaced families, with heavy rains and sewage floods leaving over 1,500 tents submerged. Residents describe dire living conditions, with little relief amid the continuous airstrikes.

According to a resident, “I woke up to the sound of the explosion. I called my three sleeping sons, but no-one answered. They were martyred immediately.”

The conflict, which began after a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, has claimed over 45,580 lives in Gaza, according to Hamas’s health ministry. The IDF’s campaign aims to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure, including targeting police officers linked to the group’s governance. However, these actions have intensified the humanitarian crisis and contributed to increasing lawlessness.

International humanitarian organizations have raised concerns over the severe impact on civilians, urging all parties to ensure the safety of non-combatants and provide critical aid. The situation in Gaza highlights the devastating toll of the prolonged conflict, particularly on children and vulnerable populations.As violence escalates, the already dire humanitarian conditions worsen, with displaced families enduring freezing temperatures and scarce resources. Calls for a resolution to the conflict and protection for civilians remain urgent, but the prospects for immediate relief appear bleak amid the ongoing hostilities.