Israeli Airstrike in Rafah Kills 35, Worsening Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Smoke rises in air,
In Rafah, cries of despair,
Peace seems far away.
In a devastating development in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, an Israeli airstrike on the city of Rafah has killed at least 35 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The strike targeted an encampment that housed displaced individuals seeking refuge from the violence. This incident has intensified the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strike aimed to eliminate senior Hamas officials in the area. However, the high number of civilian casualties has drawn severe criticism from Palestinian authorities and international humanitarian organizations. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that many victims were trapped under the debris, and rescue efforts were ongoing.
This airstrike occurred just days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt its military operations in Rafah. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that military operations will continue until Hamas is completely defeated. The ongoing conflict has resulted in nearly 36,000 Palestinian deaths and significant displacement within Gaza.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with around 80% of the population displaced and experiencing severe food and water shortages. The United Nations has repeatedly called for safe access for humanitarian aid, but the intense fighting has made it difficult to deliver necessary supplies. Egypt has temporarily rerouted aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing due to the closure of the Rafah crossing.