Israeli attacks on a tent camp hosting displaced civilians in al-Mawasi, near Gaza’s city of Rafah, on Tuesday, claimed the lives of at least 21 people, according to a report by the official Palestinian news agency.
The attacks, occurring days after a similar strike on another camp drew global criticism, resulted in the deaths of 12 women, medical officials in the area said.
Israeli tanks were earlier spotted in central Rafah for the first time, eyewitnesses told the media, as Israel continued with its assault despite global condemnation.
This came as Spain, Norway and Ireland formally recognized a Palestinian state on Tuesday, highlighting Israel’s growing isolation on the world stage.
“It was a night of horror,” according to Abdel-Rahman Abu Ismail, a Palestinian from Gaza City who has sought refuge in Tel al-Sultan since December. He recounted hearing sounds of explosions throughout the night and into Tuesday.
The Israeli military, however, denied conducting a strike in al-Mawasi.
“Contrary to the reports from the last few hours, the (Israel Defence Forces) did not strike in the Humanitarian Area in Al-Mawasi,” the army said in a statement.
Al-Mawasi is designated as a humanitarian zone for Palestinians’ safety.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian president, described the attack on Rafah as a “massacre” and urged the enforcement of an International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision demanding Israel cease its offensive in Rafah.
Israel has continued its military action in Rafah despite a recent ruling by the top UN court ordering the country to cease its offensive, saying the ruling allows for some degree of military intervention.
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