Israeli airstrike destroys refugee camp, death toll in Gaza over 8,500
Gazans inspecting the strike site at Jabalia Camp in Gaza. Photo: Associated Press
In the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has so far killed more than 10,000 and displaced millions, Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday, October 31, targeted a populated refugee camp in Gaza City, resulting in the loss of over 50 lives. The attack also left 150 others wounded, reported Al Jazeera.
The Israeli attack is being called the biggest massacre in the war yet.
According to a Hamas statement, the Jabalia Camp is home to families who have been refugees from conflicts with Israel since 1948.
Israel bombs Gaza refugee camp
- The IDF (Israeli Defence Force) said the airstrike also killed a Hamas commander and some of his associates.
- The strike on Jabalia, Gaza's largest refugee camp, where conditions have been deteriorating due to shortages of food, fuel, and basic supplies, further made it tough for the medics to rescue and treat the wounded, Reuters reported.
- According to the IDF, the apartment buildings at the cap site came crumbling down as a result of hollow Gazan tunnels beneath the area that Hamas uses as storage, hideout and moving around.
Hamas to release foreign hostages
- Hamas' Qassam Brigades, on Tuesday, October 31, announced its intention to release some foreign hostages from Gaza in the coming days, reported Al Jazeera.
- This recorded announcement follows the abduction of around 240 people, including Israeli soldiers, civilians, and foreigners, during the deadly assault on Israel on October 7.
- The Qassam spokesperson also promised they would turn Gaza into a "graveyard" for the incoming Israeli ground offensive.
Arab states condemn
- Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have issued strong condemnations of the recent Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalia Camp, Al Jazeera reported.
- These countries expressed concern about the escalation of violence and the impact on the Palestinian population, especially women and children.
#Statement | The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns in the strongest terms possible the inhumane targeting by the Israeli occupation forces of the Jabalia refugee camp in the besieged Gaza Strip, which caused the death and injury of a large number of innocent civilians. pic.twitter.com/3sjGJFlwtn
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) October 31, 2023
Humanitarian crisis
- The war in Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave and might trickle to the region.
- Hospitals are struggling to treat casualties as electricity and fuel supplies run low.
- In addition, the lack of central electricity has been a pressing issue, and Israel's restrictions on the entry of fuel have further worsened the situation.
- Over 8,500 people have been reportedly killed in Gaza since October 7.