Israeli Airstrikes Hit Gaza’s Humanitarian Zone, Killing 19 Amid Ongoing Conflict and Criticism

Early Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes targeted a designated humanitarian zone in the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 19 fatalities and 60 injuries, as reported by Gazan officials. The affected area, Al-Mawasi, was home to tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians seeking refuge in tents and makeshift shelters.

Despite Israel's declaration of the area as a humanitarian zone, the Israeli military claimed that the strikes were aimed at three senior Hamas militants involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas-led assault on Israel. The attack prompted immediate condemnations and raised concerns about the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

The casualty figures, as reported by Gaza's Health Ministry, are expected to rise as rescuers continue to search through debris and sand for missing individuals. The challenges in reaching the site with ambulances further complicate the efforts to provide medical assistance to the injured.

International Reactions and Calls for Change

In a separate matter, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken criticized Israel over the fatal shooting of an American activist in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli military's acknowledgment of the unintended nature of the incident drew Blinken's call for fundamental changes in the operations of Israeli security forces.