Explosion at Al-Maghazi Refugee Camp claims multiple lives
Multiple casualties reported after a devastating explosion rocks Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, leaving a trail of destruction Eyewitnesses and hospital officials confirm the tragic incident
According to eyewitnesses and an official at a nearby hospital who spoke with CNN, a blast occurred at the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip late Saturday night, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries. The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that 47 individuals lost their lives. Mohammad al Hajj, the director of communications at the Al-Aqsa hospital, informed CNN that the explosion was caused by an Israeli air strike.
The hospitals director, Dr Eyad Abu Zaher, later reported that there were 52 fatalities, contradicting the figure provided by the health ministry.
Dr. Khalil Al-Daqran, head of nursing, stated that one of the houses in the camp had been targeted. The house, which was full of residents, was bombed while its inhabitants were taking refuge in their homes.
The Israeli military has yet to provide a comment on whether the area was intentionally targeted. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are currently investigating the details surrounding the explosion.
A photograph captures the scene of road blocks lining a decimated street in the Jenin camp in the West Bank on November 4, 2023. This image depicts the escalating violence in the occupied territory, occurring simultaneously with the ongoing clashes between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Photographer Aris Messinis captures this poignant moment.
Live updates: Conflict between Israel and Hamas continues amid increasing global concern over the crisis in Gaza. According to a resident of the camp, "While we were at home, we were abruptly startled by an incredibly powerful explosion. The impact reverberated throughout the entire vicinity."
Video footage captured at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital depicts numerous lifeless bodies, covered by white tarpaulins, among them small forms presumed to be children. Dr. Al-Daqran revealed that additional casualties were being brought in from the Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Moreover, he explained that the hospital lacked the necessary resources to accommodate the overwhelming influx of patients, and the scarcity of fuel and supplies rendered it impossible to provide adequate medical care to the injured.
He informed CNN that the hospital has more than twice as many patients in need of treatment as it has beds.
Over the course of four weeks, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have relentlessly attacked Gaza, with the stated objective of eradicating Hamas. These attacks were initiated in response to the breach of the Israeli border by Hamas fighters on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 individuals and the abduction of over 200 people.
People check the damage at the Al-Maghazi refugee camp on Sunday.
Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images
Israel has repeatedly urged civilians to move south of Wadi Gaza as it has intensified its air and ground assaults across the strip.
The whole building fell on us
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, the number of casualties in Gaza resulting from Israeli attacks since October 7 stands at a minimum of 9,472. These figures, obtained from sources within the Hamas-controlled enclave, were released on Sunday.
Four children and three siblings of journalist Muhammed Alaloul lost their lives in the explosion, as confirmed by Alaloul in an interview with CNN on Sunday. Alaloul, a freelance photojournalist working with the Turkish news agency Anadolu, informed that his residence was destroyed during an Israeli airstrike specifically aimed at the Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Additionally, hospital officials in Gaza have also indicated that the explosion was the result of an Israeli airstrike.
The Israel Defense Forces are currently investigating the blast that occurred. Video footage from the scene shows extensive damage, with many buildings either damaged or completely destroyed. Alaloul, a resident, emotionally described seeing his family members and friends killed in the explosion. Upon returning to his demolished house, he revealed that it was filled with children, and there are still individuals trapped in the area that rescuers can't access. Alaloul's wife, parents, and another child sustained injuries, with his wife in critical condition and being treated in the intensive care unit.
The Al-Maghazi refugee camp is situated in the central region of the coastal enclave, specifically south of Wadi Gaza, which serves as a division between north and south Gaza.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reports that the camp comprises tight passageways, accommodating around 33,000 inhabitants prior to the conflict, in a compact region spanning no more than 0.6 square kilometers.
Al-Maghazi camp resident, Jamal Al Aloul, recounted being rudely awakened as he stated, "Out of nowhere, the entire structure collapsed on top of us."
He mentioned that his two children perished in the building's collapse, but he remained unaware of the identities of the other victims due to the numerous residents inhabiting the structure.
Samah Shaqoura, a fellow resident of the camp, informed CNN that her family was gathered in the living room, engrossed in laughter and conversation, when their residence was unexpectedly struck.
Dozens were taken to hospital following the explosion at the camp.
CNN
"I saw a red light, then we were shaking on the sofa, I saw all my sisters screamingâ¦when I found myself alive, I looked to see who is still alive," she said.
She said moments later she found her father dead.
Her mother, Sundos Shaqura, said the whole house collapsed suddenly on them, as they shared some tea after their evening prayer.
The international community has strongly criticized Israel due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Even Israel's closest allies have joined in calling for a halt in the fighting, whether through a humanitarian pause or a ceasefire, in order to facilitate aid delivery to the affected civilians. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a summit in Jordan, met with key leaders from the Middle East and once again refused to support a ceasefire, instead emphasizing the importance of "humanitarian pauses."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his government is firmly against any sort of temporary ceasefire in Gaza unless Hamas releases all the hostages it had taken during their violent activities on October 7. Additionally, Netanyahu affirmed that Israel will persist in preventing fuel from entering the territory.
