Arab party chief demands that defense minister explain Gaza strike that reportedly killed 9 kids

MK Ayman Odeh, leader of the predominantly Arab Hadash party, demands in a parliamentary question that Defense Minister Israel Katz explain the circumstances behind an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis on Friday in which nine children from the same family were reportedly killed.

In his question, Odeh demands to know who gave the order to bomb the building; what the criteria were for giving that order; what the military policy is regarding “bombing homes with civilians inside them”; and what the policy is for evacuating civilians from their homes.

“Nine children under the age of 12 were burned to death inside their home,” says Odeh. “We demand accountability. This crime is not an ‘operational error’ — it is a government waging a war of extermination against civilians. We will not remain silent in the face of war crimes.”

Cabinet ministers are obligated to respond in writing to parliamentary questions within 21 days of their submission.

In response to the reports, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed it carried out a strike in Khan Younis, saying it targeted several suspects observed at a building near where ground troops were operating.

“The Khan Younis area is a dangerous combat zone that the IDF ordered civilians to evacuate for their safety before the start of the operation,” the military said, referring to a warning issued a week ago, adding that it was looking into the claims of civilian deaths.