Israeli Strike Kills Five Children in Gaza ‘Safe Zone’ Amid Escalating Offensive

An Israeli strike in al-Mawasi, an area in southern Gaza designated by Israel as a safe zone, has resulted in the deaths of at least nine people, including five children, according to health officials. The victims were reportedly fetching water when the attack occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. Images shared by a doctor from al-Nasser hospital depicted the children’s bodies and water jugs amidst a pool of blood at the site.

This incident comes as Israel continues to push forward with its major offensive into Gaza City, mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists for an operation dubbed ‘Gideon’s Chariots II’. The Israeli military had previously encouraged residents to move from Gaza City to al-Mawasi, promising enhanced services, a claim disputed by experts and contradicted by the recent strike.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with health authorities reporting at least 76 deaths across the strip in the last 24 hours. Thirteen people, including three children, died from malnutrition on Tuesday alone, contributing to a total of 361 starvation-related deaths in the last 23 months. Aid groups warn of devastating consequences from the ongoing offensive and forced displacement, as Israel seeks to clear Gaza City ahead of its operation.

Internationally, condemnation of Israel’s actions is growing. On Tuesday, Belgium announced its recognition of Palestine as a state and imposed sanctions on Israeli settlements and certain officials. This move adds to Israel’s increasing global isolation. Domestically, the war faces significant opposition, with protests calling for a ceasefire and reports of internal disagreements within the Israeli government regarding the Gaza City operation and a recently accepted Hamas ceasefire proposal.

The conflict, which began after Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages on October 7, 2023, has now claimed the lives of at least 63,633 Palestinians in Gaza over the last 23 months.

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