Israeli Airstrike on Rafah Kills 12 Palestinians

Rafah

Israeli Airstrike on Rafah Kills 12 Palestinians, Gaza Medics Report

Jerusalem: At least 12 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Rafah in southern Gaza early Thursday morning, according to Gaza medics. The strike is part of an ongoing offensive following Israel’s announcement of control over a buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Buffer Zone Capture

Israel declared control over the buffer zone on Wednesday, effectively gaining authority over Gaza’s entire land frontier. The capture of this zone is intended to cut off a route used by Hamas to smuggle arms into Gaza during the seven-month-long conflict, which has caused extensive destruction and fears of famine.

Civilian Casualties

Medical sources in Gaza reported that the 12 victims, described as civilians, were killed while attempting to recover a body in central Rafah. Another airstrike in the Al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza resulted in the death of another Palestinian civilian. The Israeli military has not commented on these specific incidents but reported ongoing clashes throughout Gaza.

International Response and Legal Orders

Despite an International Court of Justice (ICJ) order to cease attacks, Israel has continued its raids on Rafah, citing efforts to eliminate Hamas fighters and rescue hostages. The ICJ also called for the release of hostages held by Hamas. Since the beginning of the conflict, over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed, with 53 fatalities reported in the past 24 hours alone, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

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Background of the Conflict

The conflict escalated after Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel on October 7 last year, killing 1,200 people and abducting over 250. Israel’s ground operations began on October 20, and the military has since reported 292 combat losses. In the latest developments, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant highlighted the importance of ongoing operations in Rafah to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, citing intelligence about hostages in the area.

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Tunnels and Weaponry

Israeli forces have discovered 20 tunnels used by Hamas for smuggling and transporting fighters, along with large caches of arms and explosives. Although Israel has previously stated concerns about tunnels connecting Rafah to Egypt’s Sinai, Egypt has denied their existence.

Diplomatic Efforts

The United States, alongside Egypt and Qatar, has been mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and hostage release. However, these efforts have stalled, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of progress. The US has reiterated its opposition to a major ground offensive in Rafah, although it does not believe such an operation is currently underway.

Humanitarian Crisis

As the conflict continues, Gaza faces widespread malnutrition and the threat of famine due to limited aid deliveries. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), has called for an end to Israeli attacks on UNRWA staff and facilities in Gaza. In an article for the New York Times, Lazzarini criticized Israeli officials for attempting to delegitimize UNRWA by labeling it a terrorist organization.

Violence in the West Bank

The Gaza conflict has also intensified violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Palestinians seek statehood. Two Israeli soldiers were killed in Nablus in an overnight hit-and-run by a Palestinian motorist. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility from Palestinian factions.

As the situation in Gaza and the West Bank remains volatile, international attention is focused on finding a resolution to the ongoing violence and addressing the dire humanitarian needs of the affected populations.

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