World politicians condemn Israel after dozens of deaths in tent camp in Gaza Strip

One family described their agonizing escape after the home they were seeking shelter in was apparently affected.

“Suddenly windows shattered,” Hala Siam told the NBC News team on the scene. “The children were scared. We all ran out into the streets.”

“They said it was safe,” Siam said of the area where she and her family sought shelter. “There is no safe place in Rafah.”

The Israeli forces said their attack was directed against two Hamas leaders who They are responsible for organizing terrorist attacks in the occupied West Bank. She said she was aware of reports that civilian tents were set on fire during the attack and that the incident was being “investigated.”

“The attack was directed against legitimate targets under international law,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement, adding that they used “precise munitions” based on “precise intelligence indicating that Hamas was using the area.”

The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether its attack took place in an area within a designated security zone.

Israel’s chief military prosecutor described the incident as “very difficult” and pointed out that an investigation was ongoing.

“The Israel Defense Forces regret any harm inflicted on innocent civilians during the war,” Major General Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi said at a conference of the Israel Bar Association.

In a statement, Hamas called the attack a gruesome “massacre,” but did not confirm the death of the commander or senior leader.

Earlier on Sunday, Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced a rocket attack on Israel targeting Tel Aviv, the first in many weeks. The Israel Defense Forces said it had identified eight missiles crossing into Israeli territory from the Rafah area and that several missiles had been intercepted.

As outrage grew over Sunday’s attack on Rafah, mediators Qatar and Egypt condemned the attack as a violation of international law. Qatar, a key mediator in talks with Hamas, warned it could jeopardize efforts to reach a ceasefire that would secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Following talks in Paris over the weekend involving CIA Director William Burns, an Israeli official told NBC News that the Israeli government was confident talks could resume this week.

But French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “outraged by the Israeli attacks that have killed many displaced people in Rafah,” adding: “These operations must stop.” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also condemned the attack and said he was “horrified.”

A spokesman for the US National Security Council said after Sunday’s attack: “We are aware of the reports and are gathering additional information.”