Devastating Bombing in Gaza Leaves Dozens Dead
At least 30 people were killed and numerous others injured following an Israeli bombing of a center for displaced people near Rafah in southern Gaza on Sunday. This tragic event was confirmed by the Gaza Civil Defense, which indicated that the center houses around 100,000 people. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that the area had been designated by the Israeli occupation as a humanitarian zone.
The attack appears to be a response to a barrage of rockets fired by Hamas from Gaza on the same day. The rockets, which activated air raid sirens as far as Tel Aviv, marked the first such long-range attack from Gaza in months. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesman, noted that the launcher in Rafah responsible for firing the rockets was subsequently destroyed.
There were no immediate details about the specific target hit by Israel in Rafah, but images from the site depicted extensive destruction. The military wing of Hamas took responsibility for the rocket fire, which could be heard in central Gaza. The Israeli military reported that eight projectiles were launched from the Rafah area, with several intercepted.
In the midst of ongoing hostilities, aid trucks entered Gaza from southern Israel under a new agreement to bypass the Rafah crossing with Egypt. This followed Israeli forces' seizure of the Palestinian side of the crossing earlier this month. However, it's uncertain whether humanitarian groups can access the much-needed material due to the continuous fighting.
The conflict, which has persisted for over eight months, has wreaked havoc on the region. Nearly 36,000 Palestinians have perished, and around 80% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced, leading to widespread hunger. UN officials have noted that some parts of the territory are facing famine conditions.
The war was ignited by an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and around 250 hostages being taken. To date, Hamas holds about 100 captives alongside the remains of another 30 individuals, with most hostages freed during a ceasefire last year.
- Despite the international outcry, Israel launched operations on May 7 to dismantle the remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah. This move was met with a call from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday for an immediate cessation of Israeli operations in the southern Gaza town. Nevertheless, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his firm opposition to ending the conflict.
- The situation remains dire as continued skirmishes make humanitarian efforts increasingly difficult. The UN and other organizations face significant obstacles in delivering aid to those affected by the years-long conflict.
