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31 October 2023 Jabalia refugee camp airstrike: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 31°32′14″N 34°29′47″E / 31.53722°N 34.49639°E / 31.53722; 34.49639
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adding link to 2023 Israel-Hamas war; attribution; figure in source is 50, not 47
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According to IDF officials, Israel targeted the space between buildings to destroy an underground tunnel complex and said that the collapse of the tunnel network caused the foundations of nearby buildings to collapse in turn causing the collapse of those buildings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel Gaza live news: 'Credible reports' say Rafah crossing may open for wounded Gazans |language=en-gb |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67281166?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=65419dda364b3f1612ec778d%26Israel%27s%20Jabalia%20explanation%20bears%20similarity%20to%20previous%20attack%20on%20Hamas%20tunnel%262023-11-01T02%3A26%3A27.995Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:5f005635-00e7-4187-b90f-9133a56d3078&pinned_post_asset_id=65419dda364b3f1612ec778d&pinned_post_type=share |access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref>
According to IDF officials, Israel targeted the space between buildings to destroy an underground tunnel complex and said that the collapse of the tunnel network caused the foundations of nearby buildings to collapse in turn causing the collapse of those buildings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel Gaza live news: 'Credible reports' say Rafah crossing may open for wounded Gazans |language=en-gb |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67281166?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=65419dda364b3f1612ec778d%26Israel%27s%20Jabalia%20explanation%20bears%20similarity%20to%20previous%20attack%20on%20Hamas%20tunnel%262023-11-01T02%3A26%3A27.995Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:5f005635-00e7-4187-b90f-9133a56d3078&pinned_post_asset_id=65419dda364b3f1612ec778d&pinned_post_type=share |access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref>

An eyewitness described the scene:{{blockquote|"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."<ref name="CNN1031" />}}


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."<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 October 2023 |title=Israelische Armee bestätigt Beschuss von Flüchtlingslager Dschabalia |language=de |trans-title=Israeli army confirms shelling of Jabalia refugee camp |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/israelischer-armeesprecher-bestaetigt-angriff-auf-fluechtlingslager-dschabalija-a-00e1cd38-bf2f-4688-8281-e9d691bf9e7d |access-date=1 November 2023 |issn=2195-1349}}</ref> [[Médecins Sans Frontières]] reported treating children with burns and deep wounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSF response to the deadly Israeli attack on Jabalia camp |url=https://prezly.msf.org.uk/msf-response-to-the-deadly-israeli-attack-on-jabalia-camp |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=prezly.msf.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>
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."<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 October 2023 |title=Israelische Armee bestätigt Beschuss von Flüchtlingslager Dschabalia |language=de |trans-title=Israeli army confirms shelling of Jabalia refugee camp |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/israelischer-armeesprecher-bestaetigt-angriff-auf-fluechtlingslager-dschabalija-a-00e1cd38-bf2f-4688-8281-e9d691bf9e7d |access-date=1 November 2023 |issn=2195-1349}}</ref> [[Médecins Sans Frontières]] reported treating children with burns and deep wounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSF response to the deadly Israeli attack on Jabalia camp |url=https://prezly.msf.org.uk/msf-response-to-the-deadly-israeli-attack-on-jabalia-camp |access-date=1 November 2023 |website=prezly.msf.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>

Revision as of 13:44, 4 November 2023

31 October 2023 Jabaliya refugee camp airstrikes
Part of the Jabalia refugee camp airstrikes of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
TypeAirstrike
Location
Jabalia refugee camp

31°32′14″N 34°29′47″E / 31.53722°N 34.49639°E / 31.53722; 34.49639
Date31 October 2023
CasualtiesHundreds killed or injured (per Gaza Indonesian Hospital)[1][2]
195+ killed, 777+ wounded (per Gaza Health ministry)[3]

The Jabalia refugee camp, which has been the target of multiple Israeli air strikes during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, was struck again on 31 October,[4] killing at least 50 Palestinians and trapping more than a hundred beneath the rubble, according to Hamas health ministry.[5] The Indonesia Hospital said most casualties were women and children.[6] Gaza Interior Ministry stated the camp had been "completely destroyed," with preliminary estimates of about 400 wounded or dead.[7] IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israeli fighter jets attacked the refugee camp,[8] and stated that the attack killed a Hamas commander who lead the 7 October attacks, dozens of Palestinian militants, and destroyed Palestinian tunnels.[9] Hamas denied the presence of any commander and said Israel was using these claims as an excuse for the attack.[10]

Attack

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.[6] 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] The New York Times and experts it consulted concluded that at least two 2,000-pound bombs were used.[14]

According to IDF officials, Israel targeted the space between buildings to destroy an underground tunnel complex and said that the collapse of the tunnel network caused the foundations of nearby buildings to collapse in turn causing the collapse of those buildings.[15]

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."[16] Médecins Sans Frontières reported treating children with burns and deep wounds.[17]

Casualties

The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health initially reported 50 people were killed and 150 injured.[6] The Indonesian Hospital nearby said it received 120 dead bodies and treated 280 wounded, and the majority were women and children.[6][18] Agence France-Presse's footage showed 47 dead bodies being pulled out from the rubble.[6] 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]

The Gaza Health Ministry stated on 1 November that the strikes on both days killed 195 people and injured 777 others, with 120 more missing beneath the rubble.[20]

Aftermath

Israeli justification

The IDF said the operation targeted and killed a Hamas commander, Ibrahim Biari, who they said led the 7 October attack on Israel.[21][22][23] Hamas denied the presence of any commander and said Israel was using these claims as an excuse for the attack.[10]

IDF spokesman Richard Hecht described civilian deaths as a tragic consequence of war and accused Hamas of using them as human shields, noting that civilians had been warned to move south.[22]

International law

On 2 Nov, the United Nations human rights office stated on Twitter that the attack could constitute a war crime, given the "high number of civilian casualties and the scale of destruction".[24][25]

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".[26]

International reactions

The attack was immediately condemned by the Egyptian, Saudi, Jordanian, and Qatari foreign ministries.[27] Bolivia severed diplomatic relations with Israel, and Colombia and Chile recalled their ambassadors.[28]

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."[29] Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent described the scene as "absolutely horrific."[30]

Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert stated, "There is absolutely no doubt that this is a mass murder."[31] 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."[32] Doctors Without Borders condemned the airstrike, stating "Enough is enough!"[33]

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!"[34]

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."[35]

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.'"[36]

UNICEF called the airstrike "horrific and appalling."[37]

Countries

  • Argentina Argentina condemned the attack, with the Foreign Ministry stating, "Nothing justifies the violation of international humanitarian law."[38]
  • Bolivia Bolivia severed diplomatic relations with Israel.[28]
  • Chile Chile recalled its Israeli ambassador.[28]
  • Colombia Colombia recalled its Israeli ambassador.[28]
  • Egypt Egypt condemned the Israeli attack as an indiscriminate attack against civilians and a flagrant violation of international law.[39]
  • France Foreign Affairs minister Catherine Colonna stated France was deeply concerned about the "the very heavy toll on the Palestinian civilian populations from the Israeli strikes against the Jabalia camp and expresses its compassion for the victims," and added "protection of civilian populations is an obligation of international law, which is binding on everyone."[40]
  • 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.[41]
  • 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.[42]
  • Qatar The Qatari foreign ministry released a statement condemning the attack.[27]
  • 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.[43]
  • United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates condemned the Israeli attack and called for an immediate ceasefire.[44]
  • United States The United States, in the immediate aftermath, declined to comment on the attack.[45]

Multi-national organizations

See also

References

  1. ^ Bigg, Matthew Mpoke; Zraick, Karen; Bubola, Emma (31 October 2023). "A Deadly Airstrike, and Gazans at the Breaking Point". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  2. ^ George, Susannah (1 November 2023). "Israeli strikes on Jabalya refugee camp kill and injure hundreds in Gaza". Washington Post. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  3. ^ Yerushalmy, Jonathan; Chao-Fong, Léonie; Belam, Martin; Sullivan, Helen; Oladipo, Gloria (2 November 2023). "Hamas says 195 killed in two days of strikes on Jabalia camp – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Rescue teams trying to evacuate people from under the rubble". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e David Gritten. "Jabalia: Israel air strike reportedly kills dozens at Gaza refugee camp". BBC News.
  7. ^ "Jabalia refugee camp 'completely destroyed'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Israel Gaza live news: Dozens reported killed in Gaza refugee camp blast". BBC News. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Dozens reported killed in Gaza refugee camp blast". BBC News. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  10. ^ a b Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Rose, Emily; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (31 October 2023). "Israel strikes dense Gaza camp, says it kills Hamas commander". Reuters. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  11. ^ "There are reports of a large number of casualties after a blast in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza".
  12. ^ a b 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 (1 November 2023). "Israel-Hamas War: Update from Christoph Koettl". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  14. ^ Koettl, Christoph; Tiefenthäler, Ainara; Willis, Haley; Cardia, Alexander (3 November 2023). "Israel Used 2,000-Pound Bombs in Strike on Jabaliya, Analysis Shows". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Israel Gaza live news: 'Credible reports' say Rafah crossing may open for wounded Gazans". BBC News. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Israelische Armee bestätigt Beschuss von Flüchtlingslager Dschabalia" [Israeli army confirms shelling of Jabalia refugee camp]. Der Spiegel (in German). 31 October 2023. ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  17. ^ "MSF response to the deadly Israeli attack on Jabalia camp". prezly.msf.org.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  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 1 November 2023.
  20. ^ Yerushalmy, Jonathan; Chao-Fong, Léonie; Belam, Martin; Sullivan, Helen; Oladipo, Gloria; Chao-Fong, Jonathan; Oladipo (earlier), Gloria (2 November 2023). "Israel-Hamas war live: 195 killed in two days of strikes on Jabalia camp, says Hamas; Biden calls for 'pause' in Gaza to get hostages out". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  21. ^ Bigg, Matthew Mpoke; Boxerman, Aaron; Zraick, Karen (31 October 2023). "Israel-Hamas War: Israel Hits Dense Gaza Area, Killing Dozens; Says It Was Targeting Hamas". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  22. ^ a b Raine, Andrew (31 October 2023). "'Children were carrying other injured children.' Witness describes aftermath of Israeli strike on Gaza refugee camp". CNN. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  23. ^ "Jabalia: Israel air strike reportedly kills dozens at Gaza refugee camp". BBC News. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  24. ^ "UN rights office says Israeli attacks on Jabalia could be 'war crime'". www.aljazeera.com. 2 November 2023.
  25. ^ Khadder, Kareem; Salman, Abeer; John, Tara (31 October 2023). "'Children were carrying other injured children.' Witness describes aftermath of Israeli strike on Gaza refugee camp". CNN. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  26. ^ Willis, Haley; Koettl, Christoph; Erden, Bora (31 October 2023). "Videos show a densely populated area of Gaza decimated by Israel's airstrike". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  27. ^ a b Pacchiani, Gianluca (31 October 2023). "Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar condemn Israeli strikes in Gaza's Jabaliya". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  28. ^ a b c d Ramos, Daniel (1 November 2023). "Bolivia severs ties with Israel, others recall envoys over Gaza". Reuters. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  29. ^ "Chaotic scenes at Jabalia camp". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  30. ^ "Red Crescent trying to transfer casualties, situations 'absolutely horrific'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  31. ^ "'Stop this mass killing': Doctor says US and Europe need to step in". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  32. ^ "Jabalia attack 'should be wake-up call' to world leaders, non-profit group says". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  33. ^ "MSF says 'horrified' by Jabalia refugee camp strike". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  34. ^ "South American countries recall ambassadors and cut ties with Israel over war with Hamas". The Guardian.
  35. ^ "UN denounces 'latest atrocity' in Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  36. ^ "'Overwhelming' situation in Gaza: Analyst". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  37. ^ "Jabaliya attacks 'horrific and appalling': UNICEF". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  38. ^ "Argentina condemns Israel's deadly attack on refugee camp in Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  39. ^ "Egypt strongly condemns Israeli attack on Jabaliya camp". Egypt Today. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  40. ^ "France says 'deeply concerned' over Israeli strikes on Jabalia refugee camp". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  41. ^ "Sie wollen dieses Bild der Zerstörung" [They want this image of destruction]. Tagesschau (in German). 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  42. ^ Magid, Jacob. "Jordan recalls its ambassador to Israel in protest of war in Gaza". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  43. ^ "Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Israeli airstrike on Gaza refugee camp". Arab News. London. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  44. ^ "UAE strongly condemns Israeli attack on Jabalia refugee camp". The National. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  45. ^ King, Laura; Bulos, Nabih; Wilkinson, Tracy (31 October 2023). "Airstrikes flatten blocks of Gaza refugee camp, bringing rage, grief and a perilous new phase of war". Los Angeles Times. Tel Aviv. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  46. ^ "AL chief deplores Israeli bombing of Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza". Middle East News Agency. Cairo. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  47. ^ "'Inhumane': World reacts to Israeli attacks on Jabalia refugee camp". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  48. ^ "UN chief 'appalled' by Israeli attacks on Jabalia refugee camp: Spokesman". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  49. ^ Oladipo, Gloria (1 November 2023). "Israel-Hamas war live: Jabalia refugee camp airstrike could amount to war crimes, says UN human rights office". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
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