At least 35 individuals have tragically lost their lives, and dozens more have sustained injuries following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Sunday, according to a CNN report citing the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. This distressing incident particularly affected women and children, who formed the majority of the casualties, as confirmed by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
An earlier statement from the ministry highlighted the severe strain on local healthcare facilities: “There is no hospital in Rafah with enough capacity to take this number of killed and injured, causing confusion among ambulance teams on where to transfer them.” The statement underscores the critical situation faced by medical responders as they grapple with the aftermath of the airstrike.
Local officials and the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that the targeted area was a camp for displaced people. Videos circulating on social media platforms depicted a large fire raging at the scene, with paramedics and firefighters tirelessly working to manage the chaos. This specific location included a large container used as a shelter for numerous families, surrounded by hundreds of tents, which emphasized the vulnerability of the displaced individuals residing there.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Gaza’s government office stated, “The Israeli occupation army had designated these areas as safe zones, calling on citizens and displaced persons to head to these safe areas.” The office pointed out the grim irony that when displaced people sought refuge in these designated zones, they came under attack. This startling revelation adds another layer to the tragic event, illustrating the dire conditions under which the displaced individuals were living.
In response to the incident, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the airstrike and defended their actions. According to the IDF, the strike targeted a “Hamas compound in Rafah in which significant Hamas terrorists were operating a short while ago.” The IDF acknowledged that reports indicated several civilians were harmed due to the strike and the resulting fire and stated that the incident was under review.
In an official post on X, the IDF elaborated, “An IDF aircraft struck a Hamas compound in Rafah in which significant Hamas terrorists were operating a short while ago. The strike was carried out against legitimate targets under international law, through the use of precise munitions and on the basis of precise intelligence that indicated Hamas’ use of the area. The IDF is aware of reports indicating that as a result of the strike and fire that was ignited several civilians in the area were harmed. The incident is under review.”
Further, the IDF identified the terrorists killed in the airstrike, including the Hamas Chief of Staff in Judea and Samaria, along with another senior Hamas official. The post stated, “Eliminated in the precise airstrike in northwest Rafah: Hamas Chief of Staff in Judea and Samaria and an additional senior Hamas official. Terrorist #1: Yassin Rabia.
. Rabia managed the entirety of Hamas’ terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria, transferred funds to terrorist targets, and planned Hamas terrorist attacks throughout Judea and Samaria. He also carried out numerous attacks, in which IDF soldiers were killed. Terrorist #2: Khaled Nagar. Nagar, a senior official in Hamas’ Judea and Samaria Headquarters, directed shooting attacks and other terrorist activities in Judea and Samaria and transferred funds intended for Hamas’ terrorist activities in Gaza. He also carried out several deadly terrorist attacks in which IDF soldiers were killed.”
The airstrike occurred amidst heightened tensions, marked by sirens in Tel Aviv and parts of central Israel after rockets were fired at the city, according to the Israeli Health Ministry. This attack on Tel Aviv was the first of its kind since January, prompting the Israeli Defence Forces to confirm that eight rockets had been launched from the Rafah area in southern Gaza. The IDF reported that several projectiles had been intercepted.
In a subsequent development, Hamas claimed responsibility for the rocket barrage on Tel Aviv, describing it as retaliation against Israel’s actions. Hamas stated, “Hamas targeted Tel Aviv with a large missile barrage in response to Israel’s massacres against civilians.”
The situation prompted Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, to meet with military officials in Rafah for an update on the ongoing operations. Gallant addressed the IDF troops, emphasizing the efforts being made to dismantle Hamas and secure the return of the hostages held in Gaza. He praised the soldiers for their dedication and sacrifices since Hamas’ attack on Israel, which began on October 7.
This airstrike comes just days after the United Nations’ top court ordered Israel to cease its operations in Rafah and withdraw from the enclave. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), located in The Hague, Netherlands, issued the order in a case brought by South Africa, accusing Israel of genocide. The court cited an “immense risk” to the Palestinian population and mandated that “Israel must immediately halt its military offensive and any other action in the Rafah Governorate which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part,” as stated by Judge Nawaf Salam, President of the ICJ. Notably, this marks the third instance this year where the ICJ has issued preliminary orders to address humanitarian suffering in Gaza. However, while these orders are legally binding, the court does not have the means to enforce them.
This story, while deeply tragic, brings to light the complexities and harsh realities of the ongoing conflict in the region, impacting thousands of innocent civilians.
