Jump to content

31 October 2023 Jabalia refugee camp airstrike: Difference between revisions

Extended-protected article
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→top: ce
→Israel's justification: conform to statement in cited source
Line 43: Line 43:


==Israel's justification==
==Israel's justification==
The IDF said the strike targeted a "military stronghold" that included a command center and underground tunnels.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Becky |last2=Chappell |first2=Bill |date=October 31, 2023 |title=Israeli military hits Gaza's largest refugee camp |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/31/1209646548/israel-military-central-gaza-fighting-hamas |access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> They said the strike killed about 50 militants, including Ibrahim Biari, who they describe as a Hamas commander who led the [[2023 Hamas attack on Israel|7 October attack on Israel]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bigg |first=Matthew Mpoke |last2=Boxerman |first2=Aaron |last3=Zraick |first3=Karen |date=2023-10-31 |title=Israel-Hamas War: Israel Hits Dense Gaza Area, Killing Dozens; Says It Was Targeting Hamas |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/31/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news |access-date=2023-11-01 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="CNN1031">{{Cite web |last=Raine |first=Andrew |date=2023-10-31 |title='Children were carrying other injured children.' Witness describes aftermath of Israeli strike on Gaza refugee camp |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/31/middleeast/jabalya-blast-gaza-intl/index.html |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tabachnick |first=Cara |date=2023-10-31 |title=Israeli airstrikes target Hamas in Jabaliya refugee camp; Gaza officials say civilians killed |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-airstrikes-jabaliya-refugee-camp-gaza-hamas/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |quote=The IDF said in a statement that approximately 50 terrorists were killed in the operation in Jabaliya}}</ref> Hamas denied the presence of any commander and said Israel was using these claims as an excuse for the attack.<ref name="reuters" />
The IDF said the strike targeted a "Hamas stronghold" that included a command center and underground tunnels.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Becky |last2=Chappell |first2=Bill |date=October 31, 2023 |title=Israeli military hits Gaza's largest refugee camp |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/31/1209646548/israel-military-central-gaza-fighting-hamas |access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> They said the strike killed about 50 militants, including Ibrahim Biari, who they describe as a Hamas commander who led the [[2023 Hamas attack on Israel|7 October attack on Israel]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bigg |first=Matthew Mpoke |last2=Boxerman |first2=Aaron |last3=Zraick |first3=Karen |date=2023-10-31 |title=Israel-Hamas War: Israel Hits Dense Gaza Area, Killing Dozens; Says It Was Targeting Hamas |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/31/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news |access-date=2023-11-01 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="CNN1031">{{Cite web |last=Raine |first=Andrew |date=2023-10-31 |title='Children were carrying other injured children.' Witness describes aftermath of Israeli strike on Gaza refugee camp |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/31/middleeast/jabalya-blast-gaza-intl/index.html |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tabachnick |first=Cara |date=2023-10-31 |title=Israeli airstrikes target Hamas in Jabaliya refugee camp; Gaza officials say civilians killed |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-airstrikes-jabaliya-refugee-camp-gaza-hamas/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |quote=The IDF said in a statement that approximately 50 terrorists were killed in the operation in Jabaliya}}</ref> Hamas denied the presence of any commander and said Israel was using these claims as an excuse for the attack.<ref name="reuters" />


IDF spokesman Richard Hecht accused Hamas of "hiding, as they do, behind civilians"; when CNN host [[Wolf Blitzer]] reminded him that there were many innocent civilians in the camp, Hecht replied, "This is the tragedy of war" and said civilians should move south.<ref name="CNN1031" />
IDF spokesman Richard Hecht accused Hamas of "hiding, as they do, behind civilians"; when CNN host [[Wolf Blitzer]] reminded him that there were many innocent civilians in the camp, Hecht replied, "This is the tragedy of war" and said civilians should move south.<ref name="CNN1031" />

Revision as of 02:15, 2 November 2023

Airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp
Part of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
TypeAirstrike
Location
Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza strip
Date31 October 2023 – 1 November 2023
Executed by Israeli Air Force

On 31 October 2023, the Jabalia refugee camp was attacked by Israeli fighter jets,[1] killing at least 47 Palestinians and trapping more than a hundred beneath the rubble.[2] The Indonesia Hospital said most casualties were women and children.[3] Gaza Interior Ministry stated the camp had been "completely destroyed," with preliminary estimates of about 400 wounded or dead.[4] IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israeli fighter jets attacked the refugee camp,[5] and claimed that the attack killed Ibrahim Biari, a key leader of the October 7 attacks, as well as killing dozens of militants in a "vast underground tunnel complex" beneath the camp that Biari was commanding operations from.[6] Hamas denied the presence of any commander and said Israel was using these claims as an excuse for the attack.[7]

Attack

An eyewitness described the scene:

"Children were carrying other injured children and running, with grey dust filling the air. Bodies were hanging on the rubble, many of them unrecognized. Some were bleeding and others were burnt. ... I saw women screaming and confused. They didn’t know whether to cry for losing their children or run and look for them, especially since many children were playing in the neighborhood."[8]

Atef Abu Seif, Minister of Culture of the Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas and a well-known critic of Hamas, likewise spoke of "apocalyptic" scenes to Der Spiegel, saying more than 50 houses were "smashed, crushed. In each house there were dozens of people, families and relatives who had fled here from outside because their areas were bombed ... They bombed the center, the heart of the refugee camp. No place in all of Palestine is probably as densely populated as this. Now we can't even make out where which building began and ended."[9] Médecins Sans Frontières reported treating children with burns and deep wounds.[10]

The director for civil defense in Gaza told Al Jazeera that Israel dropped six US-made bombs in the area.[11] Pictures of the aftermath showed several large craters amid destroyed buildings.[3] The New York Times quoted an analyst who said the damage appeared consistent with Joint Direct Attack Munitions that Israel uses.[12] Satellite imagery showed that an area of at least 2,500 square metres (27,000 sq ft) was "completely flattened" in the strikes, according to the NYT.[13]

According to IDF officials, Israel targeted the space between buildings in order to destroy an underground tunnel complex. However, the collapse of the tunnel network caused the collapse of the foundations of nearby buildings causing them to collapse in turn.[14]

In 2023, the refugee camp had a population of 116,000.[12]

Another airstrike hit the camp on 1 November.[15][16] Given the scale of destruction and high number of civilian casualties, the UN Human Rights Office expressed "serious concerns that these are disproportionate attacks that could amount to war crimes."[17]

Casualties

The Gaza Ministry of Health initially reported 50 people were killed and 150 injured.[3] The Indonesian Hospital nearby said it received 120 dead bodies and treated 280 wounded, and the majority were women and children.[3][18] Agence France-Presse's footage showed 47 dead bodies being pulled out from the rubble.[3] The New York Times also confirmed that footage showed that children, some dead, were pulled from the rubble.[12]

The Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, said the attack killed "seven civilian hostages [...] including three foreign passport holders".[19]

Israel's justification

The IDF said the strike targeted a "Hamas stronghold" that included a command center and underground tunnels.[20] They said the strike killed about 50 militants, including Ibrahim Biari, who they describe as a Hamas commander who led the 7 October attack on Israel.[21][8][22] Hamas denied the presence of any commander and said Israel was using these claims as an excuse for the attack.[7]

IDF spokesman Richard Hecht accused Hamas of "hiding, as they do, behind civilians"; when CNN host Wolf Blitzer reminded him that there were many innocent civilians in the camp, Hecht replied, "This is the tragedy of war" and said civilians should move south.[8]

International reactions

The attack was immediately condemned by the Egyptian, Saudi, Jordanian, and Qatari foreign ministries.[23] Bolivia severed diplomatic relations with Israel, and Colombia and Chile recalled their ambassadors.[24]

Al Jazeera reporter Anas Al Shareef was on the scene, stating, "It's a massive massacre. It is hard to count the number of buildings that have been destroyed here."[25] Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent described the scene as "absolutely horrific."[26]

Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert stated, "There is absolutely no doubt that this is a mass murder."[27] Melanie Ward, chief executive of the UK nonprofit Medical Aid for Palestinians, stated, "This attack marks a new low and should serve as a wake-up call to world leaders and politicians everywhere. Their meek requests for compliance with international law are being ignored entirely; Israel has instead increased the ferocity of its indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks."[28] Doctors Without Borders condemned the airstrike, stating "Enough is enough!"[29]

Brazilian President Lula da Silva, stated on X: "For the first time, we are witnessing a war in which the majority of the dead are children … Stop! For the love of God, stop!"[30]

Scottish leader Humza Yousaf issued an open apology for the world's inaction to those affected by the attack, stating on X: "I am sorry to those innocent men, women and children in Jabalia Refugee Camp that the world could not protect you. This blatant disregard for human life must be condemned unequivocally. Do not let any more children die. We need an immediate cease-fire, nothing less".[31][32][33]

Martin Griffiths stated, "This is just the latest atrocity to befall the people of Gaza where the fighting has entered an even more terrifying phase – with increasingly dreadful humanitarian consequences."[34]

Professor Tamer Qarmout of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies stated, "The complicity and silence from the international community on these war crimes, Israel carpet bombing the densest refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. It’s insane that Israel is using this war tactic now... Basically what they’re saying to Hamas, in my opinion, is, 'We don’t want a street fight, we’re ready to wipe out Gaza City.'"[35]

Countries

  • Egypt Egypt condemned the Israeli attack as an indiscriminate attack against civilians and a flagrant violation of international law.[36]
  • Jordan Jordan recalled its Israeli ambassador and advised Israel that its own ambassador should not return to Jordan as long as the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza were ongoing.[37]
  • Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law, and deplored the international community's failure to pressure Israel into a ceasefire.[38]
  • Qatar The Qatari foreign ministry released a statement condemning the attack.[23]
  • United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates condemned the Israeli attack and called for an immediate ceasefire.[39]
  • Bolivia Bolivia severed diplomatic relations with Israel.[24]
  • Colombia Colombia recalled its Israeli ambassador.[24]
  • Chile Chile recalled its Israeli ambassador.[24]
  • Argentina Argentina condemned the attack, with the Foreign Ministry stating, "Nothing justifies the violation of international humanitarian law."[40]
  • United States The United States, in the immediate aftermath, declined to comment on the attack.[41]
  • Germany Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized Israel's right of self-defense and stated that Hamas was consciously using people in the camp as human shields.[42]

Multi-national organizations

Analysis

Omar Shakir, a Human Rights Watch director, said that warnings to evacuate an area "does not absolve parties from the requirement to protect civilians" who have not evacuated. He also said that "international law prohibits attacks in which the expected harm to civilians and civilian properties is disproportionate to the anticipated military gain".[47]

See also

References

  1. ^ Mpoke Bigg, Matthew; Zraick, Karen; Boxerman, Aaron (31 October 2023). "Images of the Jabaliya refugee camp show a large crater and widespread damage". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Rescue teams trying to evacuate people from under the rubble". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e David Gritten. "Jabalia: Israel air strike reportedly kills dozens at Gaza refugee camp". BBC News.
  4. ^ "Jabalia refugee camp 'completely destroyed'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Israel Gaza live news: Dozens reported killed in Gaza refugee camp blast". BBC News. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  6. ^ "Dozens reported killed in Gaza refugee camp blast". BBC News. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  7. ^ a b Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Rose, Emily; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (2023-10-31). "Israel strikes dense Gaza camp, says it kills Hamas commander". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  8. ^ a b c Raine, Andrew (2023-10-31). "'Children were carrying other injured children.' Witness describes aftermath of Israeli strike on Gaza refugee camp". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  9. ^ "Israelische Armee bestätigt Beschuss von Flüchtlingslager Dschabalia" [Israeli army confirms shelling of Jabalia refugee camp]. Der Spiegel (in German). 2023-10-31. ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  10. ^ "MSF response to the deadly Israeli attack on Jabalia camp". prezly.msf.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  11. ^ "There are reports of a large number of casualties after a blast in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza".
  12. ^ a b c Willis, Haley; Koettl, Christoph; Erden, Bora (31 October 2023). "Videos show a densely populated area of Gaza decimated by Israel's airstrike". New York Times.
  13. ^ null (2023-11-01). "Israel-Hamas War: Update from Christoph Koettl". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  14. ^ "Israel Gaza live news: 'Credible reports' say Rafah crossing may open for wounded Gazans". BBC News. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Live updates: What's happening in the Israel-Hamas war as Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza refugee camp for second day". PBS NewsHour. 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  16. ^ "Israel-Hamas War: Update from Hiba Yazbek". The New York Times. 2023-11-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  17. ^ "Israel's strikes on Gaza refugee camp could be war crimes, UN says". South China Morning Post. 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  18. ^ "More than 50 killed in Jabalia strike: Indonesian hospital director". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Israel's deadly attack on the Jabalia refugee camp: What we know so far". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  20. ^ Sullivan, Becky; Chappell, Bill (October 31, 2023). "Israeli military hits Gaza's largest refugee camp". NPR. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  21. ^ Bigg, Matthew Mpoke; Boxerman, Aaron; Zraick, Karen (2023-10-31). "Israel-Hamas War: Israel Hits Dense Gaza Area, Killing Dozens; Says It Was Targeting Hamas". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  22. ^ Tabachnick, Cara (2023-10-31). "Israeli airstrikes target Hamas in Jabaliya refugee camp; Gaza officials say civilians killed". CBS News. Retrieved 2023-11-01. The IDF said in a statement that approximately 50 terrorists were killed in the operation in Jabaliya
  23. ^ a b Pacchiani, Gianluca (2023-10-31). "Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar condemn Israeli strikes in Gaza's Jabaliya". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  24. ^ a b c d Ramos, Daniel (2023-11-01). "Bolivia severs ties with Israel, others recall envoys over Gaza". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  25. ^ "Chaotic scenes at Jabalia camp". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  26. ^ "Red Crescent trying to transfer casualties, situations 'absolutely horrific'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  27. ^ "'Stop this mass killing': Doctor says US and Europe need to step in". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Jabalia attack 'should be wake-up call' to world leaders, non-profit group says". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  29. ^ "MSF says 'horrified' by Jabalia refugee camp strike". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  30. ^ "South American countries recall ambassadors and cut ties with Israel over war with Hamas". The Guardian.
  31. ^ "Scottish leader apologizes for world's inaction over Jabalia massacre". Anadolu Agency.
  32. ^ "'I am sorry that world couldn't...': Scotland leader as Gaza refugee camp bombed". India Today.
  33. ^ "Scotland's first minister apologises to innocent people of Jabalia". Dawn.
  34. ^ "UN denounces 'latest atrocity' in Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  35. ^ "'Overwhelming' situation in Gaza: Analyst". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  36. ^ "Egypt strongly condemns Israeli attack on Jabaliya camp". Egypt Today. October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  37. ^ Magid, Jacob. "Jordan recalls its ambassador to Israel in protest of war in Gaza". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  38. ^ "Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Israeli airstrike on Gaza refugee camp". Arab News. London. October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  39. ^ "UAE strongly condemns Israeli attack on Jabalia refugee camp". The National. October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  40. ^ "Argentina condemns Israel's deadly attack on refugee camp in Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  41. ^ King, Laura; Bulos, Nabih; Wilkinson, Tracy (October 31, 2023). "Airstrikes flatten blocks of Gaza refugee camp, bringing rage, grief and a perilous new phase of war". Los Angeles Times. Tel Aviv. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  42. ^ "Sie wollen dieses Bild der Zerstörung" [They want this image of destruction]. Tagesschau (in German). November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  43. ^ "AL chief deplores Israeli bombing of Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza". Middle East News Agency. Cairo. October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  44. ^ "'Inhumane': World reacts to Israeli attacks on Jabalia refugee camp". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  45. ^ "UN chief 'appalled' by Israeli attacks on Jabalia refugee camp: Spokesman". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  46. ^ Oladipo, Gloria (2023-11-01). "Israel-Hamas war live: Jabalia refugee camp airstrike could amount to war crimes, says UN human rights office". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  47. ^ Willis, Haley; Koettl, Christoph; Erden, Bora (2023-10-31). "Videos show a densely populated area of Gaza decimated by Israel's airstrike". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=31_October_2023_Jabalia_refugee_camp_airstrike&oldid=1183083184"