Occupation forces advance under heavy fire, targeting the tents of the displaced in the so-called “safe zone” in Al-Mawasi, south of the Gaza Strip.

On the morning of December 17, Israeli tanks advanced into Al-Mawasi, a supposed “safe zone” in southern Gaza near Rafah, forcing families to flee northward toward Khan Younis. Once a fertile region, Al-Mawasi is now devastated, with displaced families under siege, enduring gunfire, injuries, and appalling living conditions. Without water, electricity, or adequate aid, overcrowded UN tent camps offer little relief, and the area remains unrecognized as safe due to insufficient provisions and oversight.

Israel has previously designated Mawasi, along the Mediterranean coast, as a humanitarian area. Thousands of Palestinians have lived there in tents for months, having obeyed Israeli orders to move there from other areas for safety.

Chronology of December 17, 2024:

Morning:

Video footage revealed displaced Palestinians in Al-Mawasi taking cover near makeshift tents amidst heavy Israeli gunfire.Reports of injured civilians surfaced, alongside pleas for humanitarian intervention.

MSF statement following an attack on its office in AL-Mawasi

"This morning, amidst intense fighting in Al Mawasi, a densely populated area in southern Gaza, 12 of our team members and their families were surrounded by bombing and heavy shootings in their homes, while more than 30 others were trapped in the MSF office.Tanks were invading the area where we live. It was terrifying. We were lying on the ground in our homes for hours and it seemed like the gun fire was coming directly towards us,” says an MSF staff member trapped in Al Mawasi. "While injured people were arriving to the MSF emergency room in the health clinic of Al Mawasi, our teams were forced to close the facility due to insecurity, leaving people without lifesaving care. MSF is deeply concerned for the safety of our staff and patients in Gaza and calls all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and all aid workers, and to establish an immediate and permanent ceasefire across the Strip.

Throughout the Day:

Israeli forces maintained the siege, preventing aid delivery or evacuation efforts. Al-Jazeera and other outlets reported worsening conditions in Al-Mawasi, highlighting the lack of shelter and resources for displaced families.

According to Bisan Owda, besieged in the tent camp, the Israeli army stopped advancing in Mawasi Rafah at 2:00pm and allowed the ambulances to reach the injured in the area.

Hours later, residents said the army blew up several houses in the area and set several tents ablaze.

Israeli denial

Contacted by Reuters, the Israeli military said it had no information corresponding to the reports of tanks advancing towards Mawasi.

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