Hamas says 71 killed in Israeli strike on Gaza humanitarian zone | BBC News

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says at least 71 Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli air strike on a designated humanitarian area, in an attack which Israel says targeted senior Hamas leaders.

More than 289 people were injured, according to the health ministry's statement.

Hamas says the strike hit the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis, which the Israeli military has designated as a humanitarian zone, urging Palestinians to seek shelter there.

An Israeli official said the strike targeted the head of Hamas's military wing, Mohammed Deif, in an "open area" where there were "only Hamas terrorists and no civilians".