At Least 40 Killed in Attack on Gaza Refugee Camp

Palestinian sources report that an Israeli airstrike on a densely populated refugee camp in Gaza has killed "at least 40 people" and injured 60 others. Israel claims the attack targeted "key elements" of the extremist group Hamas, a claim that has been denied by Hamas. This attack, carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, September 15, is one of the deadliest in the al-Mawasi area, which includes overcrowded camps along the Gaza coast, designated by Israel as a sanctuary for hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced by the Israel-Hamas war. Doron Kadush, a military affairs reporter for Israel Army Radio, stated that such attacks, conducted without prior warning for residents to evacuate, are typically aimed at eliminating important targets among senior officials of Palestinian armed organizations in areas Israel has declared safe. According to the radio, the use of heavy weaponry in such attacks also indicates that the operation was intended to kill a significant figure. The group known as "Civil Defense," operating under Hamas, reported that they have recovered 40 bodies from this attack and are still searching for more individuals. An Associated Press cameraman observed three large craters at the site where rescuers and refugees were searching for more bodies. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, one of three hospitals receiving the injured, reported that over 20 bodies from the attack have been transferred to this hospital. The Israeli army claims it targeted Hamas members operating in a command and control center. Israeli forces stated they used precision munitions, aerial surveillance, and other methods to minimize civilian casualties. Israel asserts that throughout the war, it has been striving to avoid harming civilians. This conflict began following an attack by the extremist group Hamas on October 15. Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian deaths, as the group often operates in residential areas and establishes its infrastructure, including tunnels and rocket launchers, near homes, schools, and mosques. Hamas, in a statement, claimed that no armed forces from the group were present in the al-Mawasi area. Neither Israel nor Hamas provided evidence to support their claims. The Gaza Health Ministry states that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in Gaza, a figure that does not differentiate between armed individuals and civilians. Meanwhile, two days after the death of three Israeli citizens in an armed attack by a Jordanian truck driver at the Jordan-West Bank border, the "Israel Airports Authority" announced the reopening of this border on Tuesday morning. According to this authority, which is also responsible for the country's land borders, official commercial activities have resumed, allowing the movement of trucks and passengers at the "Nabi" crossing. Israel handed over the body of the Jordanian attacker following negotiations between officials from both countries. Israeli media reported on intense negotiations between the two countries to prevent similar attacks in the future. The eastern border of Israel has been calm for decades, but Israeli officials have recently spoken of "Iranian Islamic Republic movements" to infiltrate the West Bank and further equip Palestinian militants in this part of the territory. Following rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah on northern Israeli cities on Monday, an Israeli army spokesperson announced that Israeli fighter jets bombed "military targets" belonging to Hezbollah in various areas of southern Lebanon on Monday night. Ronen Marli, the mayor of the northern city of Nahariya, which was struck by an explosive drone on Monday, told Israel Army Radio that residents of the north are calling for more decisive military operations against Hezbollah to continue living in these areas. The drone attack slightly damaged the outer wall of a family's bathroom, with no casualties reported. The Israeli Defense Minister stated on Sunday during a visit to Gaza that the time has come to shift the "center of gravity" of events to the north. According to Channel 12 of Israeli television, the army has informed the cabinet that it is prepared for any eventuality, and the decision to launch an attack in Lebanon against Hezbollah rests with the political leadership.