EXPLANER
Israeli air raids on the refugee camp killed dozens of people and injured hundreds, drawing condemnation from Arab countries.
The Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza was bombed again a day after Israel attacked the densely populated camp, sparking global condemnation. Here’s what we know so far:
What happened, how many deaths?
At least 50 people were killed on Tuesday after six Israeli air raids hit a residential area of the camp. A Hamas press release reported 400 dead and wounded in this attack. The number of victims of Wednesday’s attacks is still not known.
At least 11 Israeli soldiers were killed Tuesday during its incursion into northern Gaza, the Israeli army said.
Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said seven civilian hostages were killed in the Jabalia attack, including three with foreign passports. There was no comment from Israel on this claim.
The Israeli army has attacked the camp several times since the start of the war, including on October 9, 12, 19 and 22, killing and injuring hundreds of people.
This air raid comes as Israeli bombardments on the Gaza Strip have killed 8,525 people, including more than 3,500 children, since the fighting began on October 7, Palestinian authorities said.
Where in Gaza did the attack take place?
Jabalia is located in the north of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army carried out one of the deadliest bombings.
What did Israel say?
An Israeli military statement said the attacks on Jabalia killed Hamas commander Ibrahim Biari. The army believes that Biari played a central role in planning and executing the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.
“There was a very senior Hamas commander in that area,” Israeli army spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told CNN.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday that Hamas fighters had two options: “either be killed or surrender unconditionally.”
“This is war (for) Israel’s future – nothing less,” he said.
What did Hamas say?
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem denied the presence of any senior commander in the refugee camp and viewed the claim as an Israeli excuse for killing civilians.
How did other countries react?
Several Arab countries have issued statements condemning Israel for its attack on the Gaza refugee camp. These include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Yemen and Jordan. Qatar also warned that the attacks undermine mediation in the region.
Condemnations also came from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as the secretary general of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
The European Commissioner for Foreign Affairs wrote on the social media platform »
The attack amid the total blockade of Gaza
The attack occurred amid Israel’s ongoing total blockade of Gaza, which severely restricts access to water, electricity, food and fuel for the more than 2.3 million of residents of the band.
Gaza’s medical staff are now facing dwindling supplies of medicine and power cuts.
Two of Gaza’s main hospitals – al-Shifa Medical and the Indonesian Hospital – faced a power outage as their generators quickly ran out of fuel.
Ashraf al-Qudra, spokesman for Gaza’s Health Ministry, called on gas station owners in the enclave to urgently provide fuel as doctors worked around the clock to treat the injured with everything the equipment they had.