Grandfather and grandson hold hands, surrender, and flee; resident shot dead

Tragedy on Evacuation Route with White Flag Raised
Israeli Military "Under Investigation"

The photo is a stock image, not the person mentioned in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

A civilian in the Gaza Strip of Palestine, carrying a white flag and evacuating with her young grandson, was shot and killed.

On the 26th (local time), the US CNN reported that a video showing this incident has been released, sparking controversy.

The video, first reported by the UK Middle East specialist media 'Middle East Eye,' was filmed on November 12 last year in Al Mawasi, a southern coastal village in the Gaza Strip.

In the video, the Palestinian woman Hala Krais (57) was preparing breakfast on the morning of her death. Near her home, gunfire and bomb explosions occurred daily. Hearing neighbors shouting that an evacuation route had been arranged, Hala took her grandson Tayem Krais (4) by the hand and went outside carrying a white flag. While fleeing, she was shot in the chest and collapsed. Hala's husband carried her back home and administered first aid, but she ultimately died.

Hala's family claimed that the Israeli military committed this act despite guaranteeing the safe evacuation of civilians. They stated that even though they were holding a white flag as instructed, they were still fired upon.

CNN confirmed through satellite images and other sources that the Israeli military was stationed just 200 meters west of the location where Hala was shot. The Israeli military responded to media inquiries about the video by saying, "We are investigating the incident."

This is not the first time a video showing the death of unarmed civilians in the Gaza Strip has been released. The human rights organization 'Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor' stated that it is investigating nine such incidents. CNN is also reviewing four cases of civilian deaths, including Hala's case.

Hala's family also claimed that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) failed to provide clear evacuation instructions to civilians. They said that on the day of the incident, they received instructions that the evacuation route had changed from south to east. Hala's family argued that she did not hear the updated instructions in time and headed south, where the tragedy occurred.

Regarding this, the ICRC explained, "Providing evacuation instructions is not the role of the ICRC," adding, "According to international humanitarian law, the responsibility to ensure the safe passage of civilians lies with the parties to the conflict."

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