IDF investigating after over 2 dozen Gazans said killed in strike on Hamas terrorist
Army says fighter jet used ‘precise munition’ to target operative in area of Khan Younis where it told Palestinians to evacuate last week ahead of expected renewal of ops there
The Israel Defense Forces announced early Wednesday it was investigating reports that dozens of Palestinians were killed and wounded in a strike in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis the day before.
According to the military, the strike targeted a Hamas member who participated in the October 7 terror onslaught that triggered the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF said a fighter jet launched a “precision munition” during the strike against the Hamas terrorist.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that 29 Palestinians were killed and more than 50 more were wounded at the al-Awda school in the Abasan area of Khan Younis.
Other reports said the strike hit the tents of displaced families outside the school.
The IDF said it was investigating the reports, adding that the school where Palestinians were sheltering is close to the site of the strike.
Last week, the IDF called to evacuate eastern Khan Younis, including Abasan, instructing Gazans to head toward a designated “humanitarian zone” in the wake of a rocket barrage by Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The army pulled out of Khan Younis in April after operating there for four months, similar to its withdrawal from northern Gaza earlier in the campaign against Hamas. The IDF has since returned to the northern areas to carry out smaller, localized operations, and looked set to repeat this in the southern city, where it has carried out numerous strikes over the past week.
Tuesday’s strike came as Israeli forces and Palestinian terror groups continue to battle around the Strip, including in Gaza City, where the United Nations said thousands of people were fleeing from.
“Many have been displaced under fire and bombardment, with very few being able to take their possessions,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, citing reports by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
OCHA described this latest displacement of people following recent Israeli evacuation orders as “dangerously chaotic,” with people fleeing having to go into or through neighborhoods where fighting is taking place — or to areas where separate Israeli evacuation orders were later issued, Dujarric said.
Israel has issued three evacuation orders for Gaza City and one for the south of the Palestinian territory since June 27, as it has again stepped up military operations against Hamas.
“Civilians in Gaza must be protected and have their basic needs met, whether they move or stay,” said Dujarric. “Those who leave must have enough time to do so, as well as a safe route and a safe place to go.”
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
