Israel intensified its assault on Rafah with airstrikes and tank fire on Tuesday, continuing its offensive in Gaza’s southern city despite widespread international condemnation.
The attack ignited a fire in a tent camp for the displaced, resulting in at least 45 fatalities. Overnight on Tuesday, at least 16 Palestinians were killed in strikes, according to officials in the Hamas-controlled enclave.
Israeli tanks advanced towards western neighbourhoods, contributing to one of the most severe nights of bombardment reported by residents.
Responding to the strike and fire incident on Sunday night at a camp housing thousands of displaced families from other parts of the Gaza Strip, global leaders reiterated calls for the implementation of a World Court order to halt Israel’s offensive.
Before the recent advancement, Israeli tanks had been probing the outskirts of Rafah near the Gaza-Egypt crossing and had entered some eastern districts, but a full-scale entry into the city had not occurred yet, as per residents’ accounts.
Locals reported that Israeli tanks were positioned on and around the Zurub hilltop, a strategically significant high ground overlooking western Rafah, following advances from the Egyptian border area where Israeli forces had launched an incursion three weeks earlier.
They also mentioned that the Tel Al-Sultan area, where Sunday’s fatal strike occurred, continued to face heavy bombardment.
“Tank shells are raining down in Tel Al-Sultan. Many families have fled their homes in western Rafah amidst ongoing fire throughout the night,” one resident informed Reuters via a chat app.
According to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), approximately one million people have fled the Israeli offensive in Rafah since early May.
Despite a ruling by the top U.N. court on Friday instructing Israel to cease its attacks, Israel has persisted with its operations, citing the court’s ruling as permitting some latitude for military action.
Meanwhile, Spain, Ireland, and Norway are set to formally recognize a Palestinian state on Tuesday, despite Israel’s strong objections. This move underscores Israel’s increasing isolation following over seven months of conflict in Gaza.
The trio of nations framed their decision as a move to accelerate efforts toward brokering a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 36,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israel’s offensive.
The operation was initiated after Hamas-led militants launched attacks on southern Israeli communities on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and the seizure of over 250 hostages, as per Israeli records.
Israel asserts its goal is to eliminate Hamas militants entrenched in Rafah and liberate hostages it alleges are being held in the area.
In Jabalia, one of Gaza’s largest historic refugee camps located in the northern part of the strip, Israeli forces have engaged in intense clashes with Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters, according to residents.
Medics reported on Tuesday that an Israeli airstrike struck a house in the Falouja neighborhood, resulting in casualties among Palestinians.
Civil emergency teams expressed concerns about numerous bodies trapped under the rubble of buildings, making them inaccessible.
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