Israeli airstrikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah have resulted in the tragic deaths of several civilians, including women and children, as reported by Palestinian state media. The strikes have added to the fear and uncertainty in an area where over one million displaced Palestinians are struggling to survive in tents and temporary shelters.
The airstrikes targeted two family homes, claiming the lives of 10 residents, and also hit other areas of Rafah and its surroundings, according to the Wafa news agency. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the strikes, but has stated that its offensive in Gaza is aimed at eradicating Hamas, the militant group in control of the region.
Residents in Rafah, like 31-year-old accountant Mohammad al-Masri, described the airstrikes as feeling like an earthquake, causing panic and confusion among the already traumatized population. The looming threat of an Israeli ground offensive has only heightened the anxiety and fear among Palestinians in the area.
Despite calls from President Biden and other world leaders to refrain from invading Rafah due to the worsening humanitarian crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on the necessity of a ground offensive to eliminate Hamas’s presence in the region.
The situation in Rafah has been described as a humanitarian catastrophe by Secretary General António Guterres, with fears of further escalation and devastation looming over the already vulnerable population. The constant presence of surveillance drones and the ever-present threat of airstrikes have left residents like Rahaf Al-Madhoun, a 17-year-old who was streaming live on TikTok during the attacks, feeling helpless and terrified.
As the situation in Rafah continues to deteriorate, the international community remains on edge, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict that has already claimed too many innocent lives.
