Tragedy Strikes Al-Maghazi Refugee Camp: 13 Lives Lost, 7 Innocent Children Among the Victims

At least 13 people, including seven children, were killed and over 25 others were injured in a strike on Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday, as reported by officials from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

A graphic video, obtained exclusively by CNN from eyewitness Nihad Owdetallah, shows the aftermath of the strike with several casualties, including children, lying on the floor as blood stains the area.

Dozens of people are running around in panic, screaming and trying to count and carry the dead bodies. Among the chaos, a foosball table covered in dust stands out.

Owdetallah, a resident of the camp, shared with CNN that he heard an explosion at around 3:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday, approximately 30 to 40 meters away from him.

I rushed to the scene and saw dead bodies scattered on the ground. There were people and kids screaming, with some children tragically lying lifeless. They were just playing foosball when the tragedy struck," he recounted.

CNN footage captured the chaotic scene inside Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, with a constant stream of casualties and injured individuals being brought in. The emergency room was filled with patients, including several wounded children crying out in pain on the floor. Family members gathered around their deceased loved ones, kissing them, holding onto them, and grieving.

Jomana Karadsheh hears from displaced Gazans who are yearning to return to their homes.

Jomana Karadsheh hears from displaced Gazans who are yearning to return to their homes.

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Video footage from inside a hospital morgue captures the heartbreaking moment families search for their loved ones among the deceased. Fatmeh Issa tearfully points to a white body bag with her young son's bloodied face visible, telling CNN, "This is my son."

In another emotional scene, a man cries out, "They are innocent civilians. Show us mercy. You are taking the lives of children. They are not soldiers or fighters; they are innocent children who were simply playing on the street."

A video captured the heartbreaking moment when a man handed over the lifeless body of a young girl to another man. Both men were seen crying and reciting Quranic verses while grieving. The man who received the girl's body gently placed her on the ground and covered her with a jacket. He tearfully told CNN that the girl was his daughter.

"My oldest daughter, Lujain, who is nine years old, was struck by a blast while playing outside. They were all just children," he shared.

Video footage captured outside the hospital shows individuals appearing distressed, with women in particular seen pushing to enter the hospital while crying out for their loved ones. In the yard, a crowd of people can be observed coming together to say prayers for the deceased before they are laid to rest.

CNN has attempted to contact the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for a statement regarding the situation, however, a response has not been received at this time.

Editor's P/S:

The horrific