May 28th 2024.
According to first responders, at least 16 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes on Rafah, with reports of increased fighting in the southern Gaza city coming in from residents on Tuesday. This comes as a result of an Israeli incursion that began in May and has caused nearly 1 million people to flee from Rafah, adding to the already staggering number of displaced individuals due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. These displaced individuals are now seeking shelter in overcrowded tent camps and areas that have been ravaged by war.
The United States and other allies of Israel have expressed concern over a potential full-scale offensive in Rafah, with the Biden administration stating that it would be crossing a red line and refusing to provide offensive weapons for such an operation. In fact, the International Court of Justice has even called for Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah, but unfortunately, they lack the power to enforce this order. Despite these warnings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains determined to continue the offensive, claiming that it is necessary in order to dismantle Hamas and rescue hostages taken in the attack on October 7 that sparked the war.
The recent airstrikes took place in the same area where Israel had targeted what they claimed to be a Hamas compound on Sunday night. However, this strike resulted in a devastating fire at a camp for displaced Palestinians and caused the deaths of at least 45 people, according to local health officials, sparking outrage around the world. Netanyahu has described this incident as a "tragic mishap," while the military has stated that they are investigating the situation.
Overnight strikes have resulted in the deaths of a total of 16 individuals in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood in northwest Rafah, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense and the Palestinian Red Crescent. While Israel claims to only be conducting limited operations in eastern Rafah along the Gaza-Egypt border, residents have reported heavy bombardment in western parts of Rafah as well. One Palestinian, Abdel-Rahman Abu Ismail, who has been taking shelter in Tel al-Sultan since December, described the previous night as a "night of horror," with constant explosions and the sound of fighter jets and drones flying overhead. He also noted that this situation reminded him of the Israeli invasion of his neighborhood in Gaza City back in 2023, where a similar heavy bombing campaign was followed by ground forces entering the area.
Another resident of Rafah, Sayed al-Masri, shared that many families have been forced to flee their homes and shelters, seeking refuge in the crowded Mawasi area or the heavily damaged southern city of Khan Younis. He expressed concern over the worsening situation in Rafah. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that two medical facilities in Tel al-Sultan have been taken out of service due to intense bombing in the area. Medical Aid for Palestinians, a charity operating in the territory, has also reported that the Tel al-Sultan medical center and the Indonesian Field Hospital are under lockdown, with medics, patients, and displaced individuals trapped inside. This adds to the already dire situation, as most of Gaza's hospitals are no longer functioning, and parts of the territory are facing famine, according to United Nations officials.
The war between Israel and Hamas began when militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 civilians and the abduction of approximately 250 individuals. In November, a week-long cease-fire led to the release of over 100 of these individuals in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. However, this did not mark the end of the conflict, as Israel responded to the October 7 attack with a massive offensive that has resulted in the deaths of over 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. This number includes both fighters and civilians, and the majority of Gaza's population of 2.3 million has been displaced. The situation in Rafah is just one example of the devastating impact of this ongoing war.
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