Mughazi strike adds to staggering death toll inside Gaza

The Christmas Eve attack on the Mughazi refugee camp in central Gaza has been one the deadliest in the war. 

The UN reported that 86 people were killed in the carnage.  

Footage taken by a Sky News team of the aftermath showed massive destruction, bodies dragged from beneath the rubble and the shrapnel scarred faces of children in hospital.  

Many of the dead included women and children. 

Now the Israeli Defence Forces has released a statement saying it “regrets” the harm caused and is acting to “learn lessons” from the event. 

The IDF statement says, “A preliminary investigation revealed that additional buildings located near the targets were also hit during the strikes, which likely caused unintended harm to additional uninvolved civilians.”

This admission by the IDF will raise further concern with the UN and human rights groups who have heavily criticised Israel’s conduct in this war. 

They say civilians are not being adequately protected. 

Hamas-led Gaza health officials say more than 21,100 people have been killed, including over 8,000 children. The number of deaths is staggering. 

Even in areas where Israel has told Gazans to move to for safety, attacks are taking place. 

Israel has expressed regret. 

The sentiment will not alleviate the incredible suffering of Palestinians in the enclave – the entire population is under siege and almost everyone is displaced – Gazans are fighting for survival.

Over Christmas, Palestinians told me they were worried the intensity of Israel’s bombing campaign would increase while the world looked away. 

The Mughazi attack confirmed their concern – that over the holidays Gaza would be forgotten.