In Rafah, Gaza, 22 people tragically lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike on tents housing displaced individuals, as reported by Palestinian medics on Sunday. This strike followed Hamas’s launch of rockets towards central Israel, sounding alarm sirens in cities like Tel Aviv for the first time in months.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza confirmed that the airstrike resulted in 35 fatalities and numerous injuries, predominantly among women and children. Describing the dire situation, officials highlighted the scarcity of essential resources such as water, food, medicine, electricity, and fuel in the region.
Eyewitnesses shared accounts of the airstrike hitting tents in western Rafah, although these reports could not be independently verified. The casualties, which included civilians, were swiftly rushed to Emirati Hospital. These tents were in close proximity to the largest United Nations warehouse in the Gaza Strip.
The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged the strike, stating that it targeted a Hamas compound in Rafah housing significant operatives. The IDF emphasized using precise munitions based on intelligence indicating Hamas activity in the area, acknowledging reports of civilian harm and committing to reviewing the incident.
Footage of the aftermath revealed extensive destruction as search and rescue operations continued in Rafah’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society anticipated a rise in the death toll, underscoring the area’s designation as a “humanitarian zone.”
Following the rocket attacks from Gaza and Israel’s response, tensions escalated in the region. Hamas’s military wing claimed responsibility for the barrage, citing retaliation for perceived “Zionist massacres against civilians.” Amid ongoing conflict, international efforts to broker peace and humanitarian aid access to Gaza face significant challenges.