Israeli Warplanes Massacre Palestinians in Jabalia refugee camp – ‘Children were carrying other injured children’
The initial number of victims is estimated at 400, including those killed and wounded. The camp was bombed with 6 bombs, each weighing a tonne. The largest number of victims were children and women.
Israeli forces destroyed an entire neighborhood in Jabaliya refugee camp, killing at least 400 people—refugees already displaced from their homes in Palestine by the same state—and injuring many others. Minutes later, they destroyed a residential building, killing dozens more. The survivors are now packed into hospitals with insufficient fuel, a severe lack of medical resources, no fresh water, no more food, and no access to the aid waiting for them on the other side of Rafah crossing.
- The bombing has sparked outrage across the Arab world and has been condemned by humanitarian organisations.
- Israel has acknowledged it was behind the strike, saying it was targeting a high-ranking Hamas commander; Hamas has rejected its commander was present.
- Strike impact: The Ministry of Interior in Gaza reported that 20 homes “were completely destroyed” in the Jabalya camp. “Hundreds” of dead and injured people arrived at Gaza’s Indonesian hospital, its director, Dr. Atef al-Kahlout, told CNN, adding that many people are still under the rubble. Another doctor described a “scene no one can imagine” at the hospital — there are “charred bodies in the hundreds” and “patients and injured are on the floors, beds, corridors and reception area” of one of Gaza’s largest hospitals, said Dr. Mohammad al Rann.
- Global reaction: A Doctors Without Borders nurse said the group was “horrified” by the Jabalya strike as reaction poured in worldwide. Jordan’s king stressed “the importance of a ceasefire” with US officials, while Bolivia said it is cutting diplomatic relations with Israel, citing “crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people.” Chile and Colombia meanwhile recalled their ambassadors to Israel for consultation.
Images and video from the scene of the strike show buildings heavily damaged as rescuers and volunteers use their bare hands to search for survivors in huge amounts of concrete debris.
People can be seen frantically trying to pull people from the rubble – many of the victims women and children. Others are seen standing and crying, fearing family members and friends may be among the dead.
- Gaza’s health ministry has given a “final warning” to the world, saying that the main generators at two key hospitals in the territory are “hours away” from completely shutting down.
