(OurNationNews.com) Following Israel’s military strike in a designated “safe haven” in Gaza that supposedly killed a key Hamas leader, an Iran-backed militia from Iraq launched a retaliatory strike with drones and missiles that targeted the port of Haifa and the city of Eilat in the Jewish state.
Israel’s attack on the al-Mawasi area in Gaza claimed at least 90 lives, many of them civilians who had taken refuge in what was supposed to be a designated “safe zone”. Hamas authorities from Gaza claim that 300 others were also injured following the attack. Al-Mawasi is located in the southern region of Gaza, which the Israel Defense Force (IDF) attacked with drones and fighter jets, claiming that Rafa’a Salameh and Mohammed Deif were hiding among civilians in the area. Both were identified by Israeli official as “two senior members” of Hamas’ leadership, with Salameh serving as the commander of the Khan Younis Brigade of Hamas, while Deif reportedly stood at the helm of Hamas’ military wing. As of press time, Israeli officials say that there is no confirmation that the two were killed in the attack.
Israeli authorities have downplayed the issue of civilian casualties however, and say that the attack was still beneficial to its continued armed foray into Gaza. Israel invaded Gaza in October last year in retaliation for Hamas’ devastating October 7 attacks on the Jewish state that claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people, the vast majority of which were civilians, including women and children.
A group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attacks on Haifa and Eliat, saying that it was in retaliation for the assault on al-Mawasi. Other world leaders, as well as the United Nations, have condemned the al-Mawasi attack. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, all denounced the attacks and called on the international community to help bring Israel to bear on its repeated violations of human rights and international law. Antonio Guterres, the secretary general of the United Nations, stated that the “principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack must be upheld at all times,” as he said he was “shocked and saddened” by the deadly raid.
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