According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, 22 individuals who had taken cover around its complex were killed by shelling that destroyed the organization's headquarters in Gaza.
"Heavy-calibre projectiles landed within metres of the office and residences of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Friday afternoon," a statement from the ICRC said.
It also said that in order to protect people and humanitarian facilities, all parties had a duty to exercise restraint.
Speaking to the BBC, an Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman said that the event was "under review" despite preliminary investigations suggesting there was "no indication" that it had launched an attack in the region.
"The strike damaged the structure of the ICRC office, where is surrounded by hundreds of displaced civilians living in tents, particularly hundreds of our Palestinian colleagues," stated the organization.
"This incident caused a mass casualty influx at the neighboring Red Cross Field Hospital, with the hospital receiving 22 killed as well as 45 injured, with reports of additional casualties."
The "severe security incident," according to the ICRC, was one of several that occurred recently.
"We decry these incidents that put the lives of humanitarians and civilians at risk," the statement said.
Different estimates were provided by the Gaza health ministry headed by Hamas, which claimed that Israel was to fault for the bombardment that claimed 25 lives and 50 injuries.
On October 7, in reaction to a catastrophic onslaught on southern Israel that resulted in over 1,200 people—mostly civilians—being murdered and 251 others being held captive, the Israeli military began a campaign to eradicate the Palestinian armed organization.
Since then, the health ministry in Gaza, which is governed by Hamas, has reported over 37,551 deaths in the region. Its statistics do not distinguish between fighters and civilians; but, by the end of April, it was said to have identified 14,680 women, children, and senior citizens among the dead.
In related news, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has issued a warning that the area and beyond might face catastrophic consequences due to the escalating conflicts between Israel and the Islamist organization Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Hezbollah and Israel are playing with fire.
Mr. Guterres said that the world could not afford for Lebanon to turn into "another Gaza" and accused both sides of using language that was becoming more and more like to war. He also demanded an urgent de-escalation.
Hezbollah and Israel have carried out a number of cross-border retaliation attacks in recent months. The organization, funded by Iran, claims that it is attacking Israel in order to help Hamas, its partner in Gaza.
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