Tragedy in Gaza: at least 71 Palestinians die in a devastating attack in a humanitarian zone

At least 71 Palestinians lost their lives this Saturday in a devastating attack in a humanitarian area in Gaza, as reported by the Ministry of Health of the enclave. The declared target by Israeli authorities was Hamas military chief, Mohamed Deif, along with Jan Yunis Brigade commander, Rafa Salama. Hamas, on its part, denied the Israeli version and described the claims as false, arguing that it was a justification for the attack. The Israeli Army explained that the aim of the attack against Deif and Salama was to neutralize two of the main instigators of the conflict, responsible for triggering the war in Gaza with an attack on October 7th. Mohamed Deif has been the target of seven previous assassination attempts and has been considered one of Israel's most wanted men for decades. The casualty toll reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health is heartbreaking, with at least 71 dead and 289 injured in this attacked humanitarian zone. This figure adds to the chilling statistic of 38,443 people deceased and 88,481 injured since the start of the conflict with Israel on October 7th. The Al-Mawasi area, where the attack took place, is designated as humanitarian, to which the Israeli Army has urged Palestinians to head to after issuing evacuation orders in other areas. However, Israeli authorities claim that "terrorists were hiding among civilians" in this place which they describe as a Hamas operational complex. Although Deif's death has not been confirmed, the intensity of the attack has overwhelmed the nearby Nasser Hospital, with a severe shortage of medical supplies and a critical situation in the healthcare system. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Minister has held special consultations in response to these events, while waiting to see how it will impact the ongoing ceasefire talks in Doha and Cairo. Hamas's response was swift, denouncing the escalation of the conflict as an act of genocide backed by the United States and the international community amidst a deafening silence. The figure of at least 100 dead or wounded, according to Hamas's press office, reflects the magnitude of the tragedy that has once again struck Gaza. On the other hand, an additional attack claimed the lives of at least 10 Palestinians in a prayer room in a displaced persons camp to the west of Gaza, further increasing the victim toll on a day marked by tragedy and relentless violence. Meanwhile, uncertainty reigns in the region, with the future of the conflict and possible international repercussions still to be determined.