Palestinian authorities said Tuesday morning that at least 40 people were killed and 60 wounded when the Israeli army struck a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip. The camp was in the al-Mawasi area, the territory's civil defense agency said.

The Israeli army said the strike targeted a Hamas command center, which it said was located inside the camp. The military said the area had previously been designated a safe zone and stressed that Hamas leaders were there at the time of the strike. The army also said the strike was part of an operation to eliminate militants responsible for recent attacks on Israeli positions.

However, Hamas officials have denied the reports, calling claims of its fighters at the site of the attack "blatant lies." The attack on the camp targeted only civilians, including women and children, who were seeking shelter from the fighting, the group said.