Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 35 Palestinians and injured dozens more in a designated area for displaced individuals in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian health and civil emergency officials. The Israeli military confirmed that its air force targeted a Hamas compound in Rafah using precise ammunition based on accurate intelligence. The strike eliminated Hamas’ chief of staff for the West Bank and another senior official responsible for deadly attacks on Israelis.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged reports indicating that the strike and subsequent fire harmed several civilians in the area, stating that the incident is under review. Ashraf Al-Qidra, a spokesperson for the health ministry in Gaza, which is governed by Hamas, reported that 35 people were killed and dozens, mostly women and children, were wounded in the attack.
The strike occurred in the Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood in western Rafah, where thousands had taken shelter after fleeing eastern parts of the city due to an Israeli ground offensive initiated over two weeks ago. The International Committee of the Red Cross noted that its field hospital in Rafah was overwhelmed with casualties, with other hospitals also receiving numerous patients.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned the attack as a “massacre” and accused the United States of enabling Israel with weapons and financial support. A local resident described the horrific scene, stating, “The air strikes burnt the tents, the tents are melting and the people’s bodies are also melting.”
Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military reported intercepting eight projectiles launched from the Rafah area, despite a recent UN court ruling ordering Israel to cease attacks on the city. No casualties were reported from the intercepted projectiles.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his war cabinet on Sunday to discuss ongoing operations in Rafah. Israeli officials argue that the UN court’s ruling still permits certain military actions. The Hamas al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the rocket launches, describing them as a response to “Zionist massacres against civilians.”
Rafah, situated about 100 kilometres south of Tel Aviv, has seen intense Israeli operations aimed at rooting out Hamas fighters and rescuing hostages. However, the assault has exacerbated civilian suffering and sparked international outcry. Local medical services reported that Israeli strikes killed at least five civilians in Rafah on Sunday.
Israeli tanks have probed the edges of Rafah, particularly near the crossing point into Egypt, but have not fully entered the city since the offensive began. War cabinet minister Benny Gantz and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the necessity of continued operations to dismantle Hamas’ capabilities.
Hardline public security minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged even stronger military action in Rafah, echoing the sentiment for intensified operations.
The ongoing conflict has claimed nearly 36,000 Palestinian lives according to Gaza’s health ministry. The Israeli operation was launched in response to a deadly attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israeli communities on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages taken.
Despite the violence, efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of more than 120 hostages have been stymied, although recent meetings between Israeli and U.S. intelligence officials and Qatar’s prime minister have shown some signs of progress. However, Hamas officials have downplayed these developments, insisting that any truce must encompass all of Gaza, not just Rafah.
In the meantime, aid efforts continue, with Egypt facilitating the entry of 200 trucks of aid, including fuel, into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing following an agreement between U.S. President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. This comes amid concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict and the need for increased aid deliveries.
