At least 22 dead in attack on makeshift mosque in Gaza City camp, hospital official says

Jerusalem
CNN
—

At least 22 people were killed in an attack on a makeshift mosque in a refugee camp west of Gaza City on Saturday, an official at the hospital treating the victims said.

Al-Ahli Hospital emergency department head Dr. Amjad Elewa told CNN that 20 men were killed in the attack on the field mosque in Al Shati camp and two other men succumbed to their injuries in hospital on Sunday.

CNN has contacted the Israel Defense Forces for comment.

Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal told CNN that the bombing occurred “in the middle of the noon prayer,” adding that all of the injured were in serious cases and required amputations.

A video of the crime scene shows bodies lying on mats that were apparently laid out for prayer. Several dead and injured people with limbs missing can be seen.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also commented on the incident in its daily press conference on Saturday as follows: “At around 1:00 p.m., the Israeli army reportedly attacked a makeshift mosque in the Ash Al Shati’ refugee camp in western Gaza City. According to reports, many people were still in or near the mosque because the Israeli army struck shortly after the midday prayer.”

“The Israeli military has not yet commented on the incident. There was no report of any prior warning of any of the attacks,” said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, referring to an Israeli attack on a refugee camp in the south of the Gaza Strip, which Israel said was directed against the Hamas military chief, who is considered the mastermind of the October 7 attacks.

This is a developing story and will be updated