Israeli Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Gaza City of Rafah, Sparking Panic and Warnings
The southern Gaza city of Rafah was struck by Israeli airstrikes on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least 44 Palestinians, including more than a dozen children. The airstrikes came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for a potential ground invasion and the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people from Rafah. The announcement caused panic and raised concerns among diplomats, as more than half of Gaza’s population is concentrated in Rafah. With Israeli evacuation orders covering two-thirds of the territory, it remains unclear where the displaced people could seek refuge.
Rafah, located on the border with Egypt, is considered the last stronghold for the Hamas militant group in Gaza. The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, warned that an Israeli ground offensive on Rafah would have “disastrous consequences” and accused Israel of aiming to force Palestinians out of their land. Qatar also issued a warning, stating that an offensive on Rafah would lead to disaster, while Saudi Arabia emphasized the potential for “very serious repercussions.” The United States has expressed concerns as well, with officials stating that a ground invasion without a plan for the civilian population would result in a catastrophe.
Despite Israeli instructions for civilians to seek shelter in Rafah, airstrikes have continued to target the area almost daily. Overnight into Saturday, three airstrikes on homes in Rafah claimed the lives of 28 people, including 10 children. Fadel al-Ghannam, who lost his son, daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren in one of the strikes, expressed fear over the potential consequences of a ground invasion and criticized the world’s silence in enabling Israel’s actions. Later on Saturday, another airstrike on a home in Rafah killed at least 11 people, including three children.
In addition to the airstrikes in Rafah, Israeli forces opened fire at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, killing at least two people and injuring five. The hospital, which is the largest in the area, has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict, with medical staff unable to move between buildings due to intense fire. Approximately 300 medical personnel, 450 patients, and 10,000 displaced people are seeking shelter there.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the overall death toll from Israeli airstrikes has reached 28,064, with the bodies of 117 people brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours alone. The majority of the casualties are women and children, contributing to a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel launched its offensive after thousands of Hamas militants crossed the border into southern Israel on October 7, resulting in numerous casualties and hostage situations. While Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian deaths due to their presence in civilian areas, U.S. officials have called for more surgical strikes, and President Joe Biden has criticized Israel’s response as being “over the top.”
The potential consequences of an Israeli offensive on Rafah extend beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis. Egypt has warned that any movement of Palestinians into its territory would threaten the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, which has been in place for four decades. The Rafah border crossing, which serves as the main entry point for humanitarian aid, is mostly closed. Prior to the war, Rafah had a population of approximately 280,000, but it is now home to an additional 1.4 million people who have fled fighting in other parts of Gaza. The territory as a whole is experiencing shortages of food and medical services, exacerbating the already dire situation.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described an Israeli offensive on Rafah as a “humanitarian catastrophe in the making” and emphasized that the people in Gaza cannot simply disappear. The situation in Gaza remains critical, with ongoing airstrikes and a potential ground invasion looming. The international community continues to express concerns and call for a resolution to the conflict, as innocent lives continue to be lost and the humanitarian crisis deepens.
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