Rafah, Gaza Strip – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have denied responsibility for a bombing at a refugee camp in the Al-Mawasi area near Rafah city, which resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people and injuries to dozens more.
In an official statement, the IDF asserted, “Contrary to the reports from the last few hours, the IDF did not strike in the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi.” The military suggested that the explosion might have been caused by a hidden store of weapons rather than an Israeli airstrike.
Earlier reports from security sources in Rafah indicated that Israeli artillery had bombed tents set up for displaced individuals in Al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian zone for Gazans seeking refuge as per IDF instructions. Local medical sources confirmed that the bombing led to the deaths of at least 21 people, including women and children, and caused injuries to approximately 64 others, with 10 reported in serious condition.
This incident follows a deadly airstrike on Monday by Israel on tents housing displaced civilians in northwestern Rafah, which claimed the lives of at least 45 Palestinians and injured many more. In response to Monday’s airstrike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the tragedy during a session with Israeli lawmakers, stating that “something unfortunately went tragically wrong” and vowed to investigate the incident thoroughly.
The recurring violence and its devastating impact on civilian populations continue to raise international concerns and calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian interventions in the conflict-stricken region.
