An analysis by CNN reveals that Israel launched airstrikes on some areas it had previously directed civilians to in Gaza. These attacks, according to the report, were a part of a wider offensive which started on May 10th and has left hundreds of people dead in Gaza.
The strikes targeted residential areas, hospitals, and mosques, which are all deemed as places civilians had previously been urged to go for safety. According to an analysis of satellite images conducted by CNN, the groups of buildings in targetted zones had all been previously identified by the IDF as recommended shelters.
The analysis notes that some of the buildings destroyed were in fact destroyed up to four times in the offensive.This is despite the fact that they were first identified by the Israel Defense Force (IDF) as places which civilians were instructed to go to in order to seek refuge.
CNN reported that it had reached out to the IDF for comment, but “got no response on why these sites were targeted despite being designated as sites for civilians to seek refuge.”
The report adds to the growing concern amongst human rights advocates and international organizations that the Israeli military has been targeting densely populated areas of Gaza despite knowing the risk this pose to civilians. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has since released a statement which expressed deep concern at the growing civilian death toll as a result of the airstrikes in Gaza and called for immediate steps to be taken to cease the violence.
