Attacks on Palestinians evacuating Gaza City explained

Attacks on Palestinians evacuating Gaza City
Partof:the Israel–Hamas war
Location:Gaza Strip
Date:13 October 2023[1] [2] [3] – present
Type:Disputed (airstrike; possible IED)
Fatalities:70+ civilians killed
Injuries:200+
Victims:Gaza Palestinians
Assailant:-->

Since October 2023, multiple attacks during the Israel–Hamas war hit Palestinians attempting to leave northern Gaza City. On 13 October, an airstrike occurred after an evacuation directive from Israel, urging more than a million residents from northern Gaza to move to the southern part of the territory. The airstrike killed 70 people, mostly women and children, and injured 200.[4] [5] [6] [7]

Background

Tensions escalated when Hamas, the group in control of Gaza, launched an attack on Israel. Israel responded with a series of airstrikes on Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued a warning to residents in the northern regions to evacuate by a specific deadline. However, the United Nations considered this evacuation order both impractical and impracticable to execute safely due to the significant number of people it affected.[8]

Attacks

Missile attacks

13 October

On 13 October, Israel ordered the entire population of northern Gaza to move south, forcing more than one million people to flee their homes. Following the order, 70 people were killed on the evacuation convoys heading south to Gaza, mostly women and children.[5] [9] [10] While airstrikes persisted in the south, Palestinians initiated evacuations from northern Gaza. According to Hamas officials' reports, these attacks led to the loss of lives primarily women and children.[11] [12] According to the Hamas media office, these airstrikes were carried out on vehicles leaving Gaza City. These cars were targeted at three points.

Although there are disputes about the exact details of the attacks, a number of sources attribute responsibility to an Israeli missile strike.[13] [14] When analysing video footage of the event, the Financial Times reported that it "appears to rule out most explanations aside from an Israeli strike." British Army major and munitions expert Chris Cobb-Smith stated that a missile was the most likely cause of the explosions seen in the videos. Another munitions expert, Desmond Travers, considered an Israeli attack to be the most plausible explanation, although he did not rule out other possible explanations.

Other sources, including the BBC, reported the event without suggesting the responsible party,[15] and some sources pointed to the absence of airstrike signatures in photographed material, suggesting roadside bombings.[16] Israel directly accused Hamas of blocking Palestinian evacuation, in order to use them as "human shields".

3 November

On 3 November, fourteen people were killed by an Israeli bombardment while attempting to evacuate northern Gaza.[17] On 11 November, the United Nations noted several explosions had hit the evacuation corridor on Salah al-Din Road, resulting in fatalities and injuries.[18]

Gunfire attacks

26 October

On 26 October, the IDF released an audio recording of a Gaza man saying that Hamas was shooting at people who were trying to evacuate northern Gaza.[19] [20] [21] [22]

7 November

Civilians waved white flags as they passed Israeli tanks, though they reported Israeli soldiers firing at them anyway and passing dead bodies along the road. The IDF said that troops were under Hamas fire when trying to open the temporary evacuation road for civilians.[23]

13 January 2024

On 13 January 2024, a Palestinian grandmother was shot by an Israeli sniper while holding her grandson's hand, waving a white flag, and walking on the evacuation route which had been declared safe.[24]

Tank attacks

On 27 October, Israel began a ground-level invasion into the Gaza Strip, with tanks entering and surrounding the areas around Gaza City.[25] On 30 October, residents evacuating Gaza City near Netzarim were hit by tank shelling, which opened-fire on their vehicle while they attempted to u-turn.[26] [27] Video of the attack appeared to show the vehicle destroyed.[28] Three people were reported killed.[29]

On 22 February 2024, a family attempting to flee Gaza City were hit by Israeli tank fire, despite waving white flags.[30]

Responses

Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, described the 13 October attack as "a new massacre".[31] The Palestine Red Crescent Society, a medical organization, said: "We have not left and will not leave. Our medics will carry on their humanitarian duties. We won’t leave people to face death alone.”[32]

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-news-hamas-war-10-13-23/index.html October 13, 2023 - Israel-Hamas war news; By Kathleen Magramo, Adam Renton, Christian Edwards, Ed Upright, Aditi Sangal, Alisha Ebrahimji, Elise Hammond, Kaanita Iyer, Zoe Sottile and Tori B. Powell, CNN
  2. https://www.trt.net.tr/persian/mntqh/2023/10/14/sry-yl-khrwn-awrgn-gzh-r-bmbrn-khrd-2050761 Israel bombed the convoy of Gaza refugees; At least 70 people were killed and more than 200 were injured by Israeli warplanes after bombing the convoy of Gaza refugees.
  3. https://efe.com/en/latest-news/2023-10-13/israeli-bombing-kills-70-palestinians-fleeing-to-the-south-of-the-gaza-strip-says-hamas/ Israeli bombing kills 70 Palestinians fleeing to the south of the Gaza Strip, says Hamas
  4. Web site: 13 October 2023 . Dozens killed while fleeing Gaza homes as Israel conducts ground raids . https://web.archive.org/web/20231018034732/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/13/dozens-killed-while-fleeing-gaza-homes-as-israel-conducts-ground-raids . 18 October 2023 . Al Jazeera.
  5. Web site: 14 October 2023 . Israel-Hamas war live updates: 70 killed after convoys of evacuees in Gaza hit by Israeli airstrikes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231014071712/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-rcna120252 . 14 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . NBC News.
  6. https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-news-hamas-war-10-14-23/h_481ceff61dacc7af30c4033b2f1a49cf Hamas says Israeli military killed 70, injured 200 evacuees after warning to move south; From CNN’s Kareem El Damanhoury
  7. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/16/middleeast/israel-palestinian-evacuation-orders-invs/index.html They followed evacuation orders. An Israeli airstrike killed them the next day.
  8. News: Israeli airstrikes hit northern Gaza as Palestinians try to leave. Emma. Graham-Harrison. Bethan. McKernan. Ruth. Michaelson. Quique. Kierszenbaum. October 14, 2023. The Guardian. October 14, 2023. October 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231014144244/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/14/israeli-airstrikes-hit-northern-gaza-as-palestinians-try-to-leave. live.
  9. Web site: Dozens killed while fleeing Gaza homes as Israel conducts ground raids . 2023-10-14 . 2023-10-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231014071032/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/13/dozens-killed-while-fleeing-gaza-homes-as-israel-conducts-ground-raids . live .
  10. Web site: Airstrikes hit Palestinians fleeing northern Gaza after Israel orders 1 million to evacuate . Los Angeles Times. Isabel. DeBre. Edith M.. Lederer. Wafaa . Shurafa. Associated Press. 13 October 2023 . 2023-10-14 . 2023-10-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231014073314/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-10-13/israel-orders-unprecedented-evacuation-gaza-possible-ground-offensive . live .
  11. News: Thousands flee Gaza after Israel orders mass evacuation. October 14, 2023. The Straits Times. October 14, 2023. October 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231014062025/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/thousands-flee-gaza-after-israel-orders-mass-evacuation. live.
  12. Web site: Iran warns Israel to halt 'war crimes' in Gaza before 'it's too late'. Usaid. Siddiqui. Joseph. Stepansky. Federica. Marsi. Dalia. Hatuqa. Al Jazeera. 2023-10-13. 2023-10-14. 2023-10-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20231014110803/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/10/13/israel-hamas-live-dozens-killed-while-fleeing-to-southern-gaza. live.
  13. News: Srivastava . Mehul . Joiner . Sam . Andringa . Peter . 15 October 2023 . Did Israel bomb a civilian evacuation route in Gaza? . Financial Times . subscription . 19 October 2023 . 18 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231018044416/https://www.ft.com/content/95c5fcf1-c756-415f-85b8-1e4bbff24736 . live .
  14. Web site: 13 October 2023 . Scores killed in Israeli air strikes on families fleeing northern Gaza . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231014062334/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-war-scores-killed-israeli-air-strikes-families-fleeing-northern-gaza . 2023-10-14 . 2023-10-14 . Middle East Eye.
  15. News: Deadly strike on convoy fleeing northern Gaza . BBC News . 15 October 2023 . 14 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231014224321/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-67113144 . live .
  16. News: 15 October 2023 . One million Gazans displaced as Israel readies for ground attack . en . France 24 . 15 October 2023 . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015072242/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231015-israel-readies-for-gaza-invasion-as-civilians-flee . live .
  17. Web site: Israeli attack kills 14 fleeing south: Gaza health officials . Al Jazeera . 3 November 2023.
  18. News: Vinall . Frances . Berger . Miriam . People fleeing on road south hit by deadly explosions, U.N. says . The Washington Post . 11 November 2023.
  19. Web site: 2023-10-26 . LISTEN: Hamas blocks road to Gazans fleeing- 'They're shooting at people' . 2024-02-19 . The Jerusalem Post JPost.com . en.
  20. Web site: IDF releases recording of Gazan saying Hamas shooting at people trying to flee south .
  21. News: Zitun . Yoav . 'They are shooting at people,' Gazan says Hamas preventing evacuation to safety . Ynetnews . 26 October 2023 . en.
  22. Web site: IDF: Gaza resident says Hamas preventing evacuations; thousands return north .
  23. Web site: Shurafa . Wafa . Civilians fleeing northern Gaza's combat zone report a terrifying journey on foot past Israeli tanks . Associated Press . 7 November 2023 . 9 November 2023.
  24. Web site: Shot in 'cold blood': Killing of Palestinian grandmother sparks outcry . Al Jazeera . 14 January 2024.
  25. Web site: Al-Mughrabi . Nidal . Israeli forces attack Gaza's main city from two directions . Reuters . 4 December 2023.
  26. News: Berger . Miriam . Israel tanks penetrate deep into Gaza, as Hamas hostage video emerges . The Washington Post . 4 December 2023.
  27. Web site: ElSayed . Youmna . Israeli forces fire on civilian vehicles evacuating Gaza City . Al Jazeera . 30 October 2023 . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030131733/https://aje.io/py7et7?update=2448525 . live .
  28. News: Gritten . David . Tank seen on key Gaza road as Israeli forces push deeper into north . BBC . 30 October 2023 . 4 December 2023.
  29. Web site: More on the Israeli tank attack near Gaza City . Al Jazeera . 30 October 2023 . 19 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231119190903/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/10/30/israel-hamas-war-live-palestinian-death-toll-gaza-rises-above-8000?update=2448517 . live .
  30. Web site: Waving white flags, Palestinians trying to flee Gaza City shelled by Israeli army . Al Jazeera . 23 February 2024.
  31. https://www.trt.net.tr/persian/mntqh/2023/10/14/sry-yl-khrwn-awrgn-gzh-r-bmbrn-khrd-2050761 Israel bombed the convoy of Gaza refugees
  32. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/13/dozens-killed-while-fleeing-gaza-homes-as-israel-conducts-ground-raids Dozens killed while fleeing Gaza homes as Israel conducts ground raids

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