The refugee camp in Gaza’s Rafah witnessed a tragic incident where 45 individuals, including children, lost their lives due to an Israeli air strike. This devastating event occurred shortly after the International Court of Justice had ordered Israel to cease its operations in Rafah, leading to widespread international condemnation and further isolating Israel in the global community amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Israel initiated the attack on Rafah late on Sunday, in response to a barrage of rockets unleashed by Hamas towards the Tel Aviv area. Despite the UN court’s previous order to halt its operation in Rafah, Israeli forces continued their assault on the border town, which was once considered a place of refuge within the territory.
The phrase “All eyes on Rafah” has gained significant attention on social media platforms, symbolizing the ongoing genocide in this city of Gaza. People from around the world have expressed their support for the Palestinians affected by the Israeli strikes, with numerous celebrities sharing messages of solidarity using the hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah. This phrase has become a rallying call to raise awareness about the relentless war taking place.
Prior to Israel’s intensified military offensive and seizure of the crossing earlier this month, Rafah served as a crucial entry point for humanitarian aid. However, the situation has drastically changed, further exacerbating the suffering of the people in Gaza.
The conflict in Rafah has led to the displacement of over 1 million Palestinians, many of whom were already refugees from previous clashes between Israel and Hamas.
Palestinians express concerns about being targeted by Israeli attacks regardless of their location, resulting in continuous movement within the Gaza Strip.
Following Israeli instructions to evacuate the northern areas before military operations in central Gaza and Khan Yunis, a significant number of people sought refuge in Rafah.
The health ministry in Gaza, under Hamas control, reported that Israeli bombings in and around medical facilities in Rafah have severely limited healthcare access.
Humanitarian organizations are alarmed by the deteriorating situation in Gaza due to the disruption of crucial aid supply lines following the conflict in Rafah.
Israel’s recent military action in Rafah has sparked international outrage and condemnation, yet Israeli authorities remain determined to proceed with the operation despite global criticism and a warning from the US.
The United Nations has repeatedly raised concerns about the risk of famine in Gaza, particularly in the northern region. The recent events in Rafah have heightened worries about malnutrition in the southern part of the territory.
The Israeli military stated that their aircraft had attacked a Hamas compound in Rafah, leading to the deaths of two senior Hamas members, Yassin Rabia and Khaled Nagar. They recognized the reports of civilian casualties caused by the strike and subsequent fire, mentioning that the incident was currently being investigated.
The United States is under increasing pressure to adopt a stronger position following a deadly attack in the city of Gaza. Concerns are growing about how long President Joe Biden can tolerate the Israeli assault on Rafah, especially after the International Court of Justice, of which both the US and Israel are members, ordered it to cease.
According to Gaza security officials, Israeli tanks have now been spotted in central and southwest Rafah.
The conflict in Gaza erupted after Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,170 individuals, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory actions have claimed the lives of at least 36,096 people in Gaza.