An Israeli air strike on a camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, has resulted in at least 35 people killed and scores injured, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The strike, which occurred on Sunday night, targeted tents for displaced people near a UN facility in the Tal al-Sultan area.
Videos from the scene showed a large explosion and intense fires burning, with graphic footage revealing structures ablaze and first responders carrying bodies. Witnesses described the chaos and devastation caused by the missile strike, with one witness recounting the tragic deaths of a girl and a young man.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the air strike targeted two senior Hamas officials, Yassin Rabia and Khaled Nagar, in the occupied West Bank. The IDF acknowledged reports of civilian casualties and stated that the incident is under review.
The strike came just hours after Hamas fired eight rockets from Rafah towards Tel Aviv, marking the first long-range attacks on the central Israeli city since January. The incident also occurred two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt its military offensive in Rafah.
The aftermath of the strike revealed a devastating scene, with more than 40 people reported killed by a senior official in Gaza’s Hamas-run civil defense agency. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 35 deaths overnight, while Médecins Sans Frontières treated 15 dead and dozens of wounded.
The strike has drawn condemnation from various organizations, including the UN agency for Palestinian refugees and Qatar, which warned that the incident could complicate mediation efforts for a ceasefire. The barrage of rockets from Hamas towards Tel Aviv highlighted the ongoing threat posed by the group, as the IDF continues its operations in southern Gaza.
The situation in Rafah remains tense, with hundreds of thousands of people still believed to be sheltering in the area. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a significant loss of life and displacement, with the UN estimating that more than 800,000 people have fled the region.
The IDF launched its military campaign in response to Hamas’ cross-border attack on southern Israel, leading to a deadly cycle of violence that has claimed thousands of lives in Gaza. The latest air strike in Rafah underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region and the urgent need for a ceasefire to prevent further loss of life.
