Israeli forces have intensified their military operations in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, leading to significant casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis. On Friday, at least 45 Palestinians were killed as Israeli soldiers engaged in close combat with Hamas militants and other defenders of the Palestinian cause. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have taken control of various parts of Rafah, forcing many residents to flee.
The assault, which began in early May, has resulted in widespread destruction and displacement. According to Palestinian and UN figures, fewer than 100,000 people remain in the western part of Rafah, a city that once housed over half of Gaza's 2.3 million residents. The situation has been further exacerbated by continuous fire from planes, tanks, and ships, making it difficult for residents to find safety.
City mayor Ahmed Al-Sofi described the entire city of Rafah as a zone of Israeli military operations, highlighting the severe humanitarian catastrophe unfolding. He emphasized that no medical facilities are functioning, and the remaining residents and displaced families lack access to basic necessities such as water and food.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported that at least 25 Palestinians were killed and 50 injured in Mawasi, a humanitarian zone west of Rafah. The area was hit by tank shells, causing further distress among the displaced families. The Israeli military stated that an initial investigation indicated no IDF strike in the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, but the incident remains under review.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also reported casualties, with 22 people killed and 45 injured when large caliber projectiles struck near their office in Gaza. The ICRC has been operating a field hospital in Rafah due to the destruction of over two-thirds of medical infrastructure. The medical situation is dire, with more than 10,000 people needing evacuation for various medical treatments, according to the World Health Organization.
The ongoing conflict has sparked criticism within Israel regarding the army’s performance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dissolved the Ministerial War Council following a particularly deadly day for Israeli forces. The bodies of 12 Israeli soldiers were collected in Rafah within 24 hours, with eight of them killed inside a Tiger vehicle. Major General Yitzhak Brik of the Israeli Reserve Army criticized the army's effectiveness, warning that Israel is facing a war of attrition.
- Hatem, a 45-year-old resident of Rafah, described the situation as one of the worst nights in western Rafah, with drones, planes, tanks, and military boats bombarding the area. He expressed a sense of inevitability, feeling that the occupation forces are trying to complete their control of the city.
- The Red Crescent reported that an Israeli raid on refugee tents in Rafah resulted in the deaths of 18 Palestinians and injuries to 35 others. The incident highlights the ongoing violence and the severe impact on displaced families living in precarious conditions.
- The ICRC has been working tirelessly to address the medical needs resulting from the conflict, with doctors and nurses operating around the clock. However, their capacities are already strained, and the situation continues to deteriorate as the conflict drags on.
- The closure of the crossing point in Egypt has further complicated the situation, preventing the evacuation of patients who urgently need medical treatment. The ongoing conflict has led to an explosion of medical needs, with trauma-related injuries, cancer, heart problems, and mental health issues among the most pressing concerns.
