In the wake of Palestine's official recognition by Norway, Spain, and Ireland, Israeli military aggression has escalated in Rafah, Gaza. Armed with deadly Merkava tanks, for the first time, these tanks have breached into the heart of Rafah, even overtaking the city center. Meanwhile, repeated assaults on local refugee camps have caused significant casualties and damage.
Palestinian health officials report that the attacks up to Tuesday night have resulted in 37 deaths. A drone strike earlier in the day claimed 21 lives, including 13 women. With 64 injured, 10 in critical condition, a total of 82 innocent Palestinians have lost their lives in just two days, causing widespread devastation and turmoil in the aftermath of Israel's lethal crackdown.
One eyewitness in the Muwasi area of Rafah recounted the horror: 'Our relatives were killed right before our eyes while we were resting at home. A loud explosion suddenly rocked us, leaving 18 dead, including my cousins and their families,' said Palestinian resident Ahmad Nasar.
The United States Condemns the Attack
Last Sunday night, in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah, Israeli air forces targeted a refugee camp, where 45 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed. Following this attack, the United States condemned the action and considered Israeli ground operations unnecessary. Former Israeli PM Olmert also indicated that the attack on Rafah was not in the nation's best interest, with Netanyahu admitting missteps.
Netanyahu Concedes 'A Tragic Mistake'
After the loss of Palestinian lives in Rafah's attacks, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called it a 'sad error.' He insisted that this wasn't their intention, as Israel has always maintained that their goal is not to harm civilians in Gaza, but to eliminate Hamas terrorists hiding among them. Nevertheless, civilian casualties have drawn international criticism for the ongoing conflict.
Source: aajtak
Gaza Shaken by Israeli Assault
After a five-month hiatus, Hamas's missile attack on Israel was met with swift retaliation by the IDF. Rafah was the target of intense Israeli aerial assaults, shaking the entire Gaza Strip and resulting in the death of around 82 Palestinians. Despite alleging to have warned civilians prior to the attacks, an IDF statement confirmed that refugee camps were inadvertently hit following a rocket attack from Hamas on Tel Aviv.
Rafah Hit with Devastating Airstrikes
The IDF engaged in a tremendous airstrike in Rafah, which proved disastrous for the civilian population. Palestinians accuse the Israeli military and the American president of deceit, giving false promises of ceasefires. The IDF claims their targets were Hamas positions, but even unintentional, refugees suffered as collateral damage.
Source: aajtak
Western Nations Witness Strong Outcry
The Israeli attacks on Gazan refugee camps have sparked outrage from Islamic to Western nations. Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of Paris demanding stern action against Israel and appealing for a ceasefire in Gaza.
ICJ Orders Halt to Conflict
It is worth noting that the International Court of Justice in The Hague dealt a blow to Israel. It ordered a halt to the military campaign in Rafah, Gaza, despite this, IDF operations continue unabated throughout the region.
