Israeli Airstrikes and Shelling Kill Dozens in Rafah, Gaza
Dozens of people, including children, have tragically lost their lives as Israeli airstrikes and shelling intensify in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that the airstrikes and machine gun fire from helicopters targeted various areas of the city, resulting in over 100 casualties. However, CNN cannot independently verify the exact number of casualties on the ground. The situation remains dire as people are trapped under the rubble, and warplanes continue to dominate the skies over Rafah.
The medical facilities in Rafah are overwhelmed by the large number of injuries caused by the Israeli occupation’s bombardment. Footage obtained by CNN depicts a chaotic scene inside Al Kuwaiti hospital, with medics desperately trying to save lives. One scene shows doctors resuscitating a motionless child, while another shows a wounded man being treated on the hospital floor. Heartbreaking images capture a woman inconsolable as she holds a child’s lifeless body wrapped in white cloth.
The strikes targeted at least two mosques and around a dozen homes, according to the Rafah municipality. The Israeli military confirmed conducting a series of strikes on targets in the Shaboura area of Rafah and successfully rescuing two Israeli hostages in a special operation. The hostages, Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har, were kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak. The Israel Defense Forces, Israel Security Agency Shin Bet, and Police identified them and stated that they are in good medical condition.
Hamas condemned the Israeli military’s actions as a “horrific massacre” against civilians in Rafah. They accused Israel of continuing its genocidal war and forced displacement attempts against the Palestinian people. The international community has expressed growing concern over Israel’s planned offensive. Countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Kingdom have joined in expressing their worries about the potential humanitarian catastrophe and serious repercussions of storming and targeting Rafah.
US President Joe Biden, in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasized the need for a credible and executable plan to ensure the safety of civilians before proceeding with the military operation. However, Netanyahu remains determined, stating that victory is within reach and that they will get the remaining Hamas terrorist battalions in Rafah. He aims to complete the operation by the start of Ramadan, expected to begin in early March.
The situation in Rafah is dire, with more than one million Palestinians fearing the impending push by the Israeli military. They have sought refuge in the city, but with limited supplies and no escape route, their situation is becoming increasingly desperate. The city has already experienced aerial assaults for months, and the anticipated ground campaign raises concerns of further devastation.
For those living in Rafah, there is a sense of helplessness and despair. Mohammad Jamal Abu Tour, a Palestinian resident, expressed his fear that if Rafah suffers the same fate as Gaza City, they will have nowhere else to go. The lack of supplies and reports of people drinking from toilets due to a lack of water in other parts of Gaza add to their distress. The situation is dire, with people feeling that the dead are better off than the living.
Rafah is the last major population center in Gaza not occupied by the Israeli military. Other cities that have been stormed by the IDF have been left in ruins, with total destruction and unimaginable devastation. The people of Gaza have already endured a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, including starvation, looming famine, a medical disaster, and a significant loss of life.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial to remember the human toll this conflict has taken on the people of Gaza. The international community must work towards a resolution that ensures the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.
