The Hamas police chief was among at least 11 Palestinians reportedly killed in an Israeli air strike on a tent camp sheltering displaced families in southern Gaza, the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq62dver40yo">BBC</a> reported on Thursday.
According to local medics, three children and two women were also among the dead in al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis.
The Hamas-run interior ministry condemned what it called the “assassination” of police director general Mahmoud Salah and his assistant, Hussam Shahwan, who it said had been “performing their humanitarian and national duty.” The Israeli military said it was looking into the reports.
The Israeli military has declared the sandy strip of land along the coast in al-Mawasi to be a “humanitarian zone” for Palestinians displaced by its war with Hamas.
However, it has repeatedly attacked the area, accusing Hamas operatives of hiding among displaced civilians.
Recent cold, wet weather has worsened conditions in the makeshift camp.
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The Israeli Air Strike on Gaza camp killed 11 people, including the Hamas police chief. Among the dead were three children and two women. The Israeli military attacked a tent camp for displaced families in southern Gaza. Hamas condemned the killings as an "assassination". The camp was declared a "humanitarian zone" for displaced Palestinians, but Hamas operatives were reportedly hiding among civilians. The bad weather made conditions in the camp worse. Israeli military said they are investigating the reports.

Israeli Air Strike On Gaza Camp Leaves 11 Dead, Including Hamas Police Chief

Forty-five Palestinians, among them women and children, were killed on Sunday after an Israeli airstrike caused a huge blaze at a tented area for displaced people in Rafah.
As reported by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-attack-rafah-tent-camp-draws-global-condemnation-2024-05-27/">Reuters</a>, Palestinian families rushed to hospitals to prepare their dead for burial following the strike late on Sunday night which set tents and rickety metal shelters on fire.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which is trying to eliminate Hamas in Gaza, said it was investigating reports that a strike it carried out against commanders of the Islamist militant group in Rafah had caused the fire.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strike had not been intended to cause civilian casualties.
In a speech in parliament that was interrupted by shouting from opposition lawmakers, Netanyahu said:
<blockquote>
In Rafah, we already evacuated about 1 million non-combatant residents and despite our utmost effort not to harm non-combatants, something unfortunately went tragically wrong.
We are investigating the incident and will reach conclusions because this is our policy.
</blockquote>
Survivors said families were preparing to sleep when the strike hit the Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood.
Thousands of Palestinians fled to the area after Israeli forces began a ground offensive in the east of Rafah over two weeks ago.
Umm Mohamed Al-Attar, a Palestinian mother in a red headscarf said:
<blockquote>
We were praying… and we were getting our children’s beds ready to sleep. There was nothing unusual, but then we heard a very loud noise, and fire erupted around us.
All the children started screaming… The sound was terrifying; we felt like the metal was about to collapse on us, and shrapnel fell into the rooms.
</blockquote>
Video footage obtained by Reuters showed a fire raging in the darkness and people screaming in panic.
By daylight (Monday), the camp in Rafah was a smoking wreckage of tents, twisted metal and charred belongings. Women wept and men held prayers beside bodies in shrouds.
The health ministry in the Hamas-controlled area said about half of the dead were women, children and older adults.
Mohammed Abuassa, who rushed to the scene in the north-western neighbourhood of Tel al-Sultan, told the Associated Press:
<blockquote>
We pulled out people who were in an unbearable state. We pulled out children who were in pieces. We pulled out young and elderly people. The fire in the camp was unreal.
</blockquote>
The airstrike followed the interception of eight rockets fired towards Israel from the Rafah area in Gaza’s southern tip.
The strike, one of the deadliest single incidents in the eight-month war to date, came two days after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, ordered Israel to stop its operation in Rafah immediately.
The top UN court also reiterated calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.
The US, Israel’s closest ally and weapons supplier, urged Israel to take more care to protect civilians but stopped short of calling for a halt to the Rafah incursion. National Security Council spokesperson said:
<blockquote>
Israel has a right to go after Hamas, and we understand this strike killed two senior Hamas terrorists who are responsible for attacks against Israeli civilians. But as we’ve been clear, Israel must take every precaution possible to protect civilians.
</blockquote>
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “outraged” over Israel’s latest attacks. He added:
<blockquote>
These operations must stop. There are no safe areas in Rafah for Palestinian civilians.
</blockquote>
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the International Court of Justice ruling must be respected.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said she was “horrified” by the deadly airstrike in Rafah, and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also condemned the Israeli attack and Qatar said the Rafah strike could hamper efforts to mediate a ceasefire and hostage exchange.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive.
Israel launched the offensive after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages.
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Israeli Attack On Refugee Camp In Gaza Kills 45 People

The Government of Zimbabwe has donated US$500,000 to Palestine through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
In a statement issued this Thursday, 04 April, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said President Emmerson Mnangagwa authorized the allocation of funds to assist Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Today, the Government donated US$500,000 to the Palestinian people through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. H.E. President Mnangagwa authorized the allocation of funds specifically for Gaza’s suffering population as assistance.
Zimbabwe expressed its sadness over Israel’s continuous devastation of the Gaza Strip and strongly condemned these actions.
</blockquote>
The donation comes as critical aid agencies have imposed severe constraints on essential humanitarian efforts in the enclave.
According to <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/04/middleeast/gaza-wck-aid-suspended-famine-intl/index.html">CNN</a>, at least three aid providers are suspending operations in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes this week killed seven workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK), an aid group that was central to a much-touted new sea corridor from Cyprus.
The killings, which included six foreign victims, caused an international uproar against Israel. The victims were British, Polish, Australian, and Palestinian and also included a dual US-Canadian citizen. 
Israel has taken responsibility for the killings, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying on Tuesday that Israeli forces had “unintentionally struck innocent people in the Gaza Strip.”
Imagery of three destroyed vehicles analyzed by CNN however showed that the first vehicle was 2.4 kilometres apart from the third, indicating that they were hit by separate strikes.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), all 2.2 million people in Gaza do not have enough food to eat, with half of the population on the brink of starvation and famine.
UNRWA’s convoys have previously been hit by Israeli fire, and the group has been banned by Israel from operating in Gaza’s north.
On Monday, the Cypriot foreign ministry reported that a vessel organized by WCK, carrying approximately 332 tons of humanitarian aid, departed from Gaza without unloading most of its cargo due to the deadly strike on WCK workers.
US President Joe Biden expressed outrage over the aid workers’ deaths and called for better protection for civilians and aid workers.
Recently, the first airdrop of US humanitarian aid was received in Gaza, providing much-needed supplies.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, a militant group ruling the Gaza Strip, has deep-rooted causes and has led to multiple rounds of violence over the years.
The Gaza-Israel conflict is a localized part of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which began in 1948.
In 1948, after World War II and the Holocaust, Britain withdrew from the area known as Palestine.
Jewish leaders declared the creation of the State of Israel, intended as a haven for Jews fleeing persecution and a national homeland.
Fighting between Jewish and Arab militias intensified, leading to the Arab-Israeli War.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were forced out of their homes during this period, which they refer to as Al Nakba (the “Catastrophe”).
Hamas won elections and took control of Gaza in 2006, and since then, Gaza has witnessed protests, bombings, land assaults, and other acts of violence.
The ongoing Israeli-Hamas war began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip on 07 October 2023.
In an organized operation, the border fence was breached at multiple points, catching Israel’s security forces off-guard.
The attackers proceeded into civilian areas, resulting in violence and chaos. Militants took captives from a wide swath of territory along Gaza’s border with southern Israel.
Hamas stated that the attack aimed to free Palestinian prisoners, halt Israeli aggression at the al-Aqsa Mosque, and break the siege on Gaza.
Following the attack, Israel declared war on Hamas, leading to sustained Israeli air and artillery strikes in Gaza.
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Zimbabwe Donates US$500,000 To Palestine

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has expressed concern over the safety of Minister Naledi Pandor.
As reported by <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/dirco-concerned-about-pandors-safety/">SABC News</a>, this comes after Pandor told the media on the sidelines of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week that she was worried about the safety of her family.
Pandor, who is South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, has been publicly condemning Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over allegations of genocide in Gaza in the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian enclave.
DIRCO Director-General Zane Dangor said that the department will ensure the safety of the Minister and her family. Said Dangor:
<blockquote>
I think the Minister is doing well and she will be cared for. Her safety is of paramount concern to all of us. So the Minister is doing fine.
</blockquote>
South Africa has since sent a letter to the court in The Hague in the Netherlands requesting it to add provisional measures against Israel.
This was in response to the latest Israeli military attack on Gaza’s overcrowded city of Rafah which resulted in the death of 67 Palestinians in an overnight attack, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
Hamas (Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya), which translates to the Islamic Resistance Movement, runs the Gaza Strip.
On 07 0ctober 2023, Hamas launched the deadliest attack against Israel since the state’s establishment in 1948, killing more than 1 200 people and taking others hostage.
Since that attack, Israel has been bombarding Gaza to destroy Hamas and to rescue the more than 200 hostages but the conflict has resulted in the death of more than 28 000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.
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South Africa Concerned About Minister Pandor's Safety

South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the country’s third biggest political party, organised a protest outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria. Party leader Julius Malema called for the embassy’s closure, criticizing Israel’s government for its actions in the conflict with Palestine.
Malema also urged retailers to remove Israeli products from their shelves by the end of October. Malema said:
<blockquote>
If they don’t remove products from Israel, we’ll remove them ourselves. We don’t want Israeli products sold in South Africa, we don’t want food from people who have the blood of innocent people on their hands.
</blockquote>
The EFF declared their support for Palestine and vowed to send arms to Hamas if elected in the 2024 elections. They demonstrated in solidarity with Palestine and emphasized their opposition to neutrality in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Malema argued that progressive governments should provide military and food aid to Palestinian freedom fighters.
The EFF intends to pressure the government to close the Israeli embassy until Palestine achieves freedom. The protests reflect a broader sentiment in South Africa, with some individuals expressing concerns that the ANC fails to consider the “Jewish side of the story” in the conflict. The EFF’s stance aligns with a growing global movement advocating for Palestinian rights and criticising Israel’s policies.
The African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party, also held a similar protest outside Israel’s embassy on Friday and called for a boycott of Israeli imports.
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EFF, ANC Protest Outside Israel Embassy Calling For Palestinian Freedom

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) stopped the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) from delivering a petition to the United Nations office in Harare to show solidarity with Palestinian workers affected by the Israeli military attacks on Gaza.
Police intervened and declared that the march and petition had not been sanctioned, citing non-compliance with legal requirements, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200018489/police-stop-teachers-palestine-solidarity-march">NewsDay</a> reported. Artuz had notified the police about their intention to hold the solidarity march, expressing their demand for an end to the attacks on Gaza. The union highlighted the suffering caused by the attacks and stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The officer commanding Harare district Chief Superintendent Raudzi Chuma wrote:
<blockquote>
You notified me that your solidarity march shall commence at Ashbrittle shops up to the United Nations offices in Zimbabwe, which are located at Block 10, Arundel Office Park, Norfolk Road, Mt Pleasant, Harare, where you shall hand over your petition.
However, your notification letter falls short of the requirements as outlined in the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act [Chapter 11:23]. Therefore, your intended solidarity march and petitioned has not been sanctioned.
</blockquote>
The Israeli military has been bombarding Gaza in response to Operation Al Aqsa Flood, launched by Palestinian militant Mohammed Deif, as retaliation for Israeli raids at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque. Gaza is a densely populated strip of land bordered by Israel and Egypt, and the ongoing conflict has resulted in casualties and destruction on both sides. Israel has likened the Hamas attack to the September 11, 2001 tragedy in the United States, declaring war on Palestine.
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Zimbabwe Police Block Teachers From Marching In Solidarity With Palestine

Israel has announced that it will allow limited humanitarian aid, including water, food, and other supplies, to be delivered to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. This decision comes amidst outrage over the blast at Gaza City’s al-Ahli Hospital and US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel to prevent further conflicts.
Biden stated that if Hamas seizes the aid, it will result in the end of its delivery, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/oct/18/israel-hamas-war-live-news-gaza-hospital-west-bank-update-joe-biden-visit-protests-latest-updates">The Guardian</a> reported. The aid, which includes over 200 trucks carrying around 3,000 tons of supplies, will be supervised by the UN and will begin moving on Friday, pending the repair of the road damaged by Israeli airstrikes.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry mentioned that as long as the crossing is operational and repaired, foreigners and dual nationals seeking to leave will be allowed through. He said:
<blockquote>
As long as the crossing is operating normally and the (crossing) facility has been repaired.
</blockquote>
The request for aid delivery was made by Biden and approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. However, the statement did not mention the provision of fuel, which is crucial for hospital generators. The aid will be limited to civilians in the southern part of the Gaza Strip and will not go to Hamas militants.
Rafah, located in Egypt’s Sinai region, is the only exit point for residents of Gaza who want to escape. Foreign passport holders are expected to be allowed to leave if the crossing reopens. However, Egypt is concerned about security near the border due to past conflicts and an insurgency in the Sinai.
Israel has targeted buildings in Rafah despite urging people to flee to the south. Egypt has played a mediator role in the past but has imposed restrictions on the movement of people and goods. Despite Israel’s heavy bombardment, Egypt has not indicated any change in its approach.
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Israel Permits Limited Humanitarian Aid Delivery To Gaza Via Rafah Crossing

In the Israel-Hamas conflict, the death toll continued to rise as violence escalated. Hamas launched a coordinated terror attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to more than 1,200 deaths in Israel, including 14 Americans. Hamas say they have dozens of hostages, including Americans.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that they were at war, and Israel tightened its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Strip recorded over 900 deaths, including 140 children, and 4,500 wounded due to Israeli retaliatory airstrikes, according to <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/10/10/israel-hamas-war-live-us-redoubles-israel-support-as-bombs-rain-on-gaza">Al Jazeera.</a> In addition to the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Israeli army launched attacks on Lebanese territory in response to anti-tank fire from Lebanon targeting an Israeli military post.
The United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres <a href="https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2023-10-09/secretary-generals-remarks-the-press-the-situation-the-middle-east">expressed distress over Israel’s complete siege of the Gaza Strip</a>. He said on Monday:
<blockquote>
I have just concluded an extraordinary meeting of senior UN leaders to discuss the unprecedented developments in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Let me begin by repeating my utter condemnation of the abhorrent attacks by Hamas and others against Israeli towns and villages in the Gaza periphery, which have left over 800 Israelis dead and more than 2,500 injured.
Sadly, these numbers are expected to rise as the attacks are ongoing and many remain unaccounted for.
In addition, over one hundred, possibly more, Israelis – civilians and military – have been reported captured by armed groups, including women, children and the elderly.
Some are being held hostage inside Israel and many others have been taken inside the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have launched thousands of indiscriminate rockets that have reached central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people.  But nothing can justify these acts of terror and the killing, maiming and abduction of civilians.
I reiterate my call to immediately cease these attacks and release all hostages.
In the face of these unprecedented attacks, Israeli airstrikes have pounded Gaza.
I am deeply alarmed by reports of over 500 Palestinians — including women and children — killed in Gaza and over 3,000 injured. 
Unfortunately, these numbers are rising by the minute as Israeli operations continue.
While I recognize Israel’s legitimate security concerns, I also remind Israel that military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with international humanitarian law. 
</blockquote>
Guterres expressed concern for the safety of civilians and the protection of infrastructure in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Reports indicated that Israeli missiles targeted health facilities, residential towers, mosques, and UN schools housing displaced families in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in Gaza was already dire, and a complete siege by Israel would worsen it. Guterres called for urgent access for humanitarian aid and appealed to the international community for support. He emphasized the need for a negotiated peace and the establishment of a Palestinian state to bring long-term stability to the region.
Pope Francis appealed to Hamas to release the hostages and expressed concern about the implications of Israel’s blockade on Palestinian civilians.
The situation in Gaza worsened as hospitals reached capacity and supplies dwindled due to Israel’s blockade. Airstrikes targeted multiple Gaza neighbourhoods, prompting evacuation warnings. The United Nations reported casualties and damage, with accusations that Hamas used civilian areas, including UN facilities, for military purposes. Israel conducted numerous airstrikes, targeting Hamas militants and infrastructure. The death toll in Israel rose to 1,200, with many wounded. Ongoing rocket attacks, President Biden’s support for Israel, and a possible ground assault loomed. Travel disruptions occurred, and Gaza residents struggled to escape the violence.
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