(MENAFN) Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday evening in the southern Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of five Palestinians, including two children, while several others were injured, according to medical sources. The attacks struck tents housing displaced civilians in a refugee camp in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, with multiple shelters catching fire as a result, as stated by reports.

The strikes followed a warning from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had pledged to “respond accordingly” after five soldiers were wounded in clashes with Palestinian fighters in Rafah earlier the same day. The Israeli military stated that the targeted operation was aimed at a senior Hamas official, amid reports that around 200 Hamas fighters remain trapped in underground tunnels in Rafah. Tel Aviv has yet to respond to calls from Hamas and mediators for safe passage for those fighters.

Hamas condemned the attacks as “a blatant war crime, a disregard for the ceasefire agreement, and a flagrant attempt to evade Israel’s obligations.” The group held Israel accountable for the escalation and urged mediators to compel the Israeli government to halt what it described as “crimes” and comply with the ceasefire. Hamas also reiterated that it has no communication with the fighters trapped in Rafah and has fully adhered to the ceasefire, which came into effect on October 10. Phase one of the agreement includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, along with plans to rebuild Gaza and establish a new governing mechanism without Hamas. Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have reportedly killed over 70,000 people, primarily women and children, and injured nearly 171,000 others.

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