Israeli airstrikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Saturday have resulted in the deaths of several civilians, including women and children, according to Palestinian state media. The strikes have added to the fear and uncertainty in an area where over one million displaced Palestinians are living in tents and temporary quarters.
The airstrikes targeted two family homes, killing 10 residents, and also hit other areas of Rafah and its surroundings, as reported by 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 group in control of the Gaza Strip.
Residents of Rafah, already bracing for a possible Israeli ground offensive, were shaken by the airstrikes. Mohammad al-Masri, an accountant sheltering with his family in a tent, described the strikes as feeling like an earthquake. The fear and uncertainty among the residents are palpable, with many wondering where they can go for safety.
Despite calls from President Biden and other world leaders to refrain from invading Rafah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that a ground offensive is necessary to eliminate Hamas’s presence in the area. The airstrikes on Saturday have only heightened fears among Palestinians in Rafah that an invasion could be imminent.
The situation in Rafah has been described as a humanitarian catastrophe by Secretary General António Guterres, who warned that an Israeli military offensive would only worsen the crisis. Residents like Rahaf Al-Madhoun, who was live streaming on TikTok when the airstrikes hit, are living in constant fear and uncertainty.
As tensions continue to escalate in Rafah, the international community is closely watching the situation unfold, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
