Israeli air strikes on a camp housing displaced Palestinians in Rafah have resulted in the deaths of at least 45 Palestinians and injuries to 249 others, according to Palestinian health and civil emergency service officials. This attack occurred in an area in the southern Gaza Strip city designated for the displaced. The Israeli military confirmed that its air force targeted a Hamas compound in Rafah, claiming that it took out one of the group’s leaders.
Details about the incident were highlighted by the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which posted on X (formerly Twitter) that ‘Gaza is hell on earth’. The agency emphasized the horrifying conditions on the ground and reported mass casualties, including children and women among those killed. They also stated that there are no established communication lines with their colleagues on the ground, rendering no place safe.
The airstrikes came in response to a barrage of rockets fired by Hamas from Gaza, which set off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv. The Israeli military reported that eight projectiles crossed into Israel, with several being intercepted. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated that despite facilitating aid to the Rafah area, Hamas continues to exploit civilian areas by firing rockets.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incident in a speech at the Israeli Knesset, acknowledging the harm done to non-combatants and noting that an investigation is underway. The UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, decried the Israeli strike as “horrific” and called for accountability, emphasizing the predictable outcome of targeting such densely packed civilian areas.
Meanwhile, the White House National Security Council spokesperson condemned Israel’s disproportionate response to the rockets launched by Hamas, asserting that while Israel has the right to defend itself, it must take every precaution to protect civilians. The Council indicated that they are actively engaging with the IDF and partners on the ground to understand the circumstances of the attack, as reported here.
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