Fear gripped Saleh Mohammed al-Hila, 37, on that Sunday. He was lying on the ground of the tent, praying for safety with his son as Hamas rockets had been launched at central Israel just hours earlier. The air-raid sirens in the Tel Aviv area had sounded for the first time in months, setting off a chain of events that would result in tragedy for Mr. al-Hila and his family.
Israel’s military retaliated against the rocket launch, destroying the launcher used in the attack. However, in a devastating turn of events, Israel struck again, dropping bombs on the camp where Mr. al-Hila and his family were sheltering. The resulting chaos led to the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, including four of Mr. al-Hila’s relatives.
The international community expressed outrage at the attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a “tragic accident.” The Israeli military claimed to have taken great care to avoid civilian harm, despite the presence of Hamas militants in civilian areas. An investigation into the strike was promised.
The New York Times conducted its own investigation, speaking with witnesses and experts to uncover the truth behind the strike. It was revealed that the Israeli military had targeted a camp that had been housing displaced families for months, raising questions about the assessment made before the strike.
The strike, carried out with precision munitions, caused widespread destruction beyond the intended targets. The bombs unleashed deadly shrapnel that resulted in numerous casualties, with videos and satellite imagery capturing the devastation.
The aftermath of the strike was filled with chaos and carnage, as witnesses described the horrific scene of bodies being pulled from the wreckage and the injured being treated. The Red Crescent reported transporting a large number of dead and wounded from the strike, highlighting the human toll of the conflict.
As the dust settled, Israel’s military released a statement justifying the strike as targeting a Hamas compound based on intelligence. However, the devastating impact on civilians raised serious questions about the tactics used in densely populated areas.