IDF strike near hospital kills 20, including Hamas members

In Khan Yunis, Gaza, a controversial military strike was carried out by the Israel Defense Forces aimed at a Hamas video surveillance camera. This incident, which occurred on a Monday, resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 Palestinians, and the IDF confirmed that six individuals among the deceased were identified as members of Hamas. Notably, it was revealed that one of these six had participated in the October 7 attacks on Israel, reinforcing the military's claims regarding the targeted nature of the operation. The IDF's justification for the strike was based on intelligence that indicated the camera was used to monitor IDF troop movements. The inquiry into the incident was led by Southern Command chief Major General Yaniv Asor, who assessed that the operations around sensitive locations like hospitals require higher-level approvals due to the potential for civilian casualties. The military pointed out that they do not intend to risk harm to civilians, yet face challenges from adversaries that utilize these civilian sites for military operations. The striking of such targets in densely populated areas has long been a contentious issue, raising questions about the judiciousness of military strategy in urban warfare. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir emphasized that while the primary goal of the operation was the Hamas surveillance camera, the outcome of the strike and the resulting casualties necessitate a thorough investigation into the decision-making process. This includes evaluating the rationale behind the use of tank shells in such a populated area and identifying which commanders were responsible for authorizing the operation. The IDF acknowledged aspects of the strike resulted in mistakes and that there was a need for an ongoing review of their rules of engagement to avoid further civilian harm. The attention garnered by this incident was intensified due to the loss of journalists, including members of the Reuters staff, among the casualties. The military expressed a commitment to determine the full circumstances leading to the deaths, stressing that there might have been a second round of shelling that caused further casualties after the initial strike. The overall impact of this military action adds to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the ethics of targeting militant infrastructure in civilian-centric areas and the responsibilities of armed forces to ensure civilian safety in the conduct of operations.