Israeli Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Gaza City of Rafah, Sparking Panic and Widespread Concern
The southern Gaza city of Rafah was struck by Israeli airstrikes on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least 31 Palestinians, including many 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 among the already densely packed population of the city, as it is unclear where they would be able to seek refuge.
Rafah, which borders Egypt, is considered to be the last stronghold for the Hamas militant group in Gaza. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to the displacement of many Palestinians, with Israeli evacuation orders covering two-thirds of Gaza’s territory. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry of Egypt expressed concern over the potential consequences of an Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, stating that it could have “disastrous consequences” and accused Israel of attempting to force Palestinians out of their land.
Egypt has been working towards brokering a permanent ceasefire between the warring sides and securing the release of hostages taken on October 7th in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Shoukry acknowledged that the negotiations are complex.
Tensions have been rising between Netanyahu and the Biden administration, with US officials warning that an invasion of Rafah without a plan for the civilian population would lead to a disaster. Despite recent calls for civilians to seek shelter in Rafah from the ongoing ground combat in the nearby city of Khan Younis, Israeli airstrikes have continued to target the area. Overnight airstrikes on homes in Rafah resulted in the deaths of 28 people, including 10 children.
The impact of the airstrikes is devastating for families like Fadel al-Ghannam’s, who lost his son, daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren in one strike. Al-Ghannam expressed fear over the impending ground invasion and criticized the lack of international intervention. He stated, “To this day, the world has not been fair to us and given us our rights.”
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, is now unable to function properly due to the intense fire. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened, with food and medical service shortages affecting the majority of the population.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 117 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll from the offensive to 28,064, with a majority being women and children. Israel declared war after a Hamas attack on October 7th, which resulted in the deaths of 1,300 people and the taking of 250 hostages. While Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian deaths due to its presence within civilian areas, US officials have called for more targeted strikes. President Joe Biden criticized Israel’s response, stating that it is “over the top.”
Netanyahu’s office stated that leaving four Hamas battalions in Rafah would make it impossible to achieve the goal of eliminating Hamas. As a result, he ordered military and security officials to develop a plan for the mass evacuation of civilians and the destruction of Hamas’ forces. The Israeli offensive has caused extensive destruction, particularly in northern Gaza, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless.
Egypt has expressed concern over the potential movement of Palestinians into its territory, as it could threaten the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The Rafah border crossing, which serves as the main entry point for humanitarian aid, is mostly closed. The population of Rafah has swelled from approximately 280,000 to 1.4 million due to people fleeing fighting in other areas.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with calls for international intervention to prevent further bloodshed. Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman al-Safadi, warned against allowing another bloodbath in Gaza. The conflict shows no signs of resolution, and the suffering of innocent civilians continues to escalate.