Jabalia refugee camp airstrikes (2023–2024)
Jabalia refugee camp airstrikes | |
---|---|
Part of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war | |
Type | Airstrike |
Location | |
Date | 9 October – present |
Executed by | ![]() |
Casualties | 203+[1] killed 147[2] injured |
Beginning on 9 October 2023, the Israel Defense Forces conducted airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp, a densely populated region of Gaza, as part of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.
Over sixty people were killed in airstrikes on 31 October, and much of the market was destroyed.[3] Forty-five people were killed in an airstrike on the next day, and part of a residential complex was destroyed. According to Israel the camp is a stronghold for Hamas and other militant groups.[4][5][6]
Background
The Jabalia refugee camp market is considered one of the most lively areas in the Gaza Strip. It is located in the northeast of Gaza City. There is a residential area in the market, the Al-Ternis area, which is considered part of the market, the largest commercial market in Gaza.[7] UNRWA registered 116,011 Palestinian refugees in the camp.[8]
9 October
Following Israeli airstrikes on other areas of Gaza, internally displaced Gazans fled to the Jabaliya camp.[3] At the time of the attack, the market was completely full, with customers and vendors stocking up on goods.[3] The airstrike hit the al-Trans area of the Jabalia market, one of the most populated areas of Jabaliya.[9][10][11] Survivors of the attack, speaking to France 24, stated that the airstrike "hit in the heart of the market", and in the immediate aftermath, there were many dead. Many of the bodies were unable to be recovered in the days following the airstrike, due to a lack of medical equipment.[12]
According to Hamas, fifty civilians were killed in the attack.[9] A rescue worker speaking to the New York Times stated that the death toll was over sixty people killed, and the entire market and surrounding buildings were destroyed.[3] Gaza's health ministry declined to give a full estimate, but reported "dozens" of dead and wounded.[13] Gaza's interior ministry also claimed that the airstrike initially targeted a residential building belonging to the Abu Eshkayyah family.[14]
The Israeli government claimed that the Jabalia airstrike targeted elements of Hamas located in a mosque in the Jabalia camp.[15]
12 October
On 12 October, a second airstrike on the Jabalia camp hit a residential building was hit, destroying several apartments, and killing people from two families.[16] Gaza's Interior Ministry reported 45 people were killed, and at least four others injured.[17] Some were sheltering there after being displaced from Beit Hanoun.[18][19]
19 October
On 19 October, the camp was hit by a third airstrike, killing 18 refugees. [20]
22 October
The camp was bombed for a fourth time during a particularly intense bombardment of Gaza. Multiple homes were bombed and at least 30 bodies have been recovered from the rubble.[21]
31 October
On 31 October, the camp was bombed again by Israeli fighter jets.[22] IDF said the attack was meant to target a key leader of the 7 October attacks Ibrahim Biari, as well as a "vast underground tunnel complex" beneath the camp that according to the IDF Biari was commanding operations from.[23] Hamas denied the presence of any commander and said Israel was using these claims as an excuse for the attack.[24]
An eyewitness interviewed by CNN spoke of "apocalyptic scenes":
"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."[25]
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."[26]
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."[27] Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent, described the scene as "absolutely horrific."[28] More than a hundred people were reported missing beneath the rubble.[29] The Gaza Interior Ministry stated the camp had been "completely destroyed," with preliminary estimates of about 400 wounded or dead.[30] The director of the Indonesia Hospital reported more than 50 dead.[31]
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israeli fighter jets attacked the refugee camp.[32] IDF spokesman Richard Hecht described civilian deaths as a tragic consequence of war and accused Hamas of using the local population as human shields, noting that civilians had been warned to move south.[25]
1 November
Less than a day after the 31 October airstrike which killed at least 50 people, Jabalia was bombed again.[33] The Civil Defense in Gaza described the airstrike as a "second massacre" which destroyed several buildings surrounding the camp and killed at least 80 people and wounded hundreds more.[34] The IDF said the strike killed "the head of [Hamas's] anti-tank missile unit, Muhammad A'sar".[35]
2 November
On 2 November, another airstrike in the Jabalia refugee camp hit the UNRWA-sponsored Abu Hussein school, home to many displaced Gazans.[36]
4 November
On 4 November, a UNRWA spokeswoman confirmed reports that Israel had conducted another airstrike against a UN-run school in the Jabalia refugee camp.[37] According to the Gaza health ministry, the attack on the Al-Fakhoura school killed fifteen and wounded dozens more.[37] Reuters reported having obtained a video of a boy crying in despair: "I was standing here when three bombings happened, I carried a body and another decapitated body with my own hands. God will take my vengeance."[37] According to UNRWA, at least one strike hit the schoolyard, where displaced families had set up their tents.[37]
Reactions
Norwegian doctor and pro-Palestinian activist Mads Gilbert stated, "There is absolutely no doubt that this is a mass murder."[38] Melanie Ward, the 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."[39] Doctors Without Borders condemned the airstrike, stating "Enough is enough!"[40]
The attack was immediately condemned by the Egyptian, Saudi, Jordanian, and Qatari foreign ministries.[41] Bolivia severed diplomatic relations with Israel, and Colombia and Chile recalled their ambassadors.[42]
See also
References
- ^ Abdulrahim, Raja; Harouda, Ameera (9 October 2023). "Israeli Airstrike Hits Marketplace in Gazan Refugee Camp, Killing Dozens". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "At least 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike on Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza". www.aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d Abdulrahim, Raja; Harouda, Ameera (9 October 2023). "Israeli Airstrike Hits Marketplace in Gazan Refugee Camp, Killing Dozens". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Israeli airstrikes flatten apartments in Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, Israel says attack targeted Hamas". PBS NewsHour. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ "Israeli airstrikes target Hamas in Jabaliya refugee camp; Gaza officials say civilians killed - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (31 October 2023). "IDF says Jabaliya strike killed top Hamas commander, collapsed terror tunnels". The Times of Israel.
- ^ "JABALIA CAMP". unrwa. 9 October 2023. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Israel airstrike strikes Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp resulting in multiple casualties - Turkiye Newspaper". Türkiye Newspaper (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Dozens of Palestinians killed and wounded in Israeli strikes on Jabalia Refugee camp". alarabiya. 9 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Israel to impose 'total Gaza blockade', dozens killed in refugee camp hit". Al Jazeera. 9 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Dozens of Palestinians killed, wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza refugee camp on Monday". Reuters. 9 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "'Many bodies are still under the rubble': Gazans speak out after Israeli bombardment". The Observers - France 24. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ "First footage of Jabalia camp after Israel attack". albawaba. 9 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "At least 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike on Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza". www.aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Extensive attack in Gaza: IDF strikes Hamas structure, rocket barrage hits south". Israel National News. 9 October 2023. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ "44 Palestinians from 2 families killed as Israel continues to pound Gaza". www.aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "Israel orders the evacuation of 1.1 million people from northern part of Gaza, the UN says". AP News. 12 October 2023. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "45 Palestinians killed in IDF airstrike on residential building in Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp". timesofisrael. 12 October 2023. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ ""Horrifying": Gaza Assault Kills 44 Palestinians, 15 Children. Will Ceasefire End Bloodshed?". democracynow. 12 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "18 Palestinians killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp -Hamas-run interior ministry =21 October 2023". Reuters. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ "Israeli air attacks kill 30 in Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp: Civil defence". Al Jazeera. 22 October 2023. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ Mpoke Bigg, Matthew; Zraick, Karen; Boxerman, Aaron. "Images of the Jabaliya refugee camp show a large crater and widespread damage". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Dozens reported killed in Gaza refugee camp blast". BBC News. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Israelische Armee bestätigt Beschuss von Flüchtlingslager Dschabalia" [Israeli army confirms airstriken on Jabalia refugee camp]. Der Spiegel (in German). 31 October 2023. ISSN 2195-1349. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "Chaotic scenes at Jabalia camp". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Red Crescent trying to transfer casualties, situations 'absolutely horrific'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Rescue teams trying to evacuate people from under the rubble". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Jabalia refugee camp 'completely destroyed'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "More than 50 killed in Jabalia strike: Indonesian hospital director". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Israel Gaza live news: Dozens reported killed in Gaza refugee camp blast". BBC News. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Israel-Hamas war live: Jabalia hit again a day after deadly Israeli attack =1 November 2023". AlJazeera.
- ^ Regan, Helen; Salman, Abeer; Saifi, Zeena; Tal, Amir; Tawfeeq, Mohammed (2 November 2023). "Second Israeli airstrike in two days pummels Gaza refugee camp, deepening a growing outcry". CNN. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Williams, Dan; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (1 November 2023). "Israel says new strike on Gaza refugee camp kills second Hamas leader, first evacuees reach Egypt". Reuters. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Farrell, Stephen; Bhandari, Aditi; Dutta, Prasanta Kumar; Trainor, Clare (3 November 2023). "No place of refuge: Israeli strikes hit camps in Gaza". Reuters. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Lewis, Simon; Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (4 November 2023). "Palestinians say Israeli strike hits U.N.-run school as Blinken meets Arab leaders". Reuters. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ "'Stop this mass killing': Doctor says US and Europe need to step in". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Jabalia attack 'should be wake-up call' to world leaders, non-profit group says". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "MSF says 'horrified' by Jabalia refugee camp strike". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ Pacchiani, Gianluca. "Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar condemn Israeli strikes in Gaza's Jabaliya". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Ramos, Daniel (1 November 2023). "Bolivia severs ties with Israel, others recall envoys over Gaza". Reuters. Retrieved 1 November 2023.