An Israeli airstrike has killed no fewer than 10 Palestinians in a tent encampment sheltering displaced families in the southern Gaza strip early on Thursday,

Medics said the 10 people, including women and children, were killed in a tent in Al-Mawasi, designated as a humanitarian area in western Khan Younis.

According to the medics, fifteen people were also wounded, but the Israeli military has not immediately commented.

Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV reported that the Director-General of Gaza’s police department, Mahmoud Salah, and his aide, Hussam Shahwan were killed in the airstrike.

According to health officials in the enclave, Israel has killed over 45,500 Palestinians in the war in Gaza.

Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been displaced and much of the tiny coastal strip is in ruins.

According to Israeli tallies, the war was triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and another 251 taken hostage in Gaza.

Israeli airstrike kills 10 in southern Gaza