International Outrage Grows Over Deadly Airstrike in Rafah, Israel Defends Actions
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel faced mounting international condemnation on Monday following a deadly airstrike in Rafah that killed dozens of people at a camp for displaced Palestinians. The Prime Minister described the incident as “a tragic accident” but showed no signs of halting the Israeli offensive in the southern Gaza city.
The deadly fire broke out on Sunday after an airstrike targeted a Hamas compound in Rafah. The Israel military claimed that “precise munitions” were used to target a Hamas commander and another senior militant official. However, the strike resulted in the deaths of at least 45 people, including children, and left 249 others wounded, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Despite issuing evacuation orders and claiming to have made efforts to protect noncombatants, the Israeli military’s actions have sparked global outrage. President Emmanuel Macron of France expressed his outrage over the airstrike and called for an immediate cease-fire, urging full respect for international law.
The Israeli government justified its offensive in Rafah as a necessary measure to combat Hamas militants who have been launching rockets into central Israel. However, with the city also housing displaced Gazans, world leaders have warned of the risks of a major military operation in the area.
Hamas condemned the Israeli strike as a “horrific war crime” and called for the immediate implementation of the World Court’s decision. The Israeli military, on the other hand, claimed to have taken precautions to minimize harm to civilians but acknowledged that the strike may have inadvertently ignited a flammable substance at the camp.
As calls for a cease-fire and respect for international law grow louder, diplomatic efforts are underway to restart negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The latest civilian deaths in Rafah have further complicated the situation, with some allies of Israel questioning the legality of the offensive.
The aftermath of the deadly airstrike has left a trail of devastation in Rafah, with eyewitnesses describing charred bodies and severe injuries among women and children. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as efforts to reach a peaceful resolution intensify.
