Khan Younis, September 10 (RHC)-- Israel has deliberately struck a tent encampment in southern Gaza near Khan Younis, killing at least 40 people and injuring 60 as it continues its barbaric, genocidal attacks on the territory.

Palestinian media are now reporting that about 20 tents where displaced Palestinians were sleeping were hit in the attack.

The coastal al-Mawasi area has been overcrowded with tents since many Palestinians fled there when the Israeli army designated it as a “safe zone” during its ground invasions of the nearby cities of Rafah and Khan Younis.

Rescuers searching for survivors in al-Mawasi say Israeli missiles left craters up to 9 metres (30 ft) deep in the tent camp in the southern Gaza Strip.   

Reporters with Al Jazeera Arabic are reporting total chaos as fires burned and Israeli reconnaissance planes circled overhead.

The attack reportedly took place near a field hospital run by the British charity UK-Med, at the entrance to al-Mawasi.

Gaza Civil Defence described the attack "one of the most heinous massacres in this frenzied war."