Israeli Forces Advance in Rafah Amid Intense Bombardment
Rafah Under Siege: Tanks and Shelling Trap Residents
Israeli forces have intensified their assault on Gaza, particularly targeting central and southern regions, as tanks move further into Rafah. On Friday, airstrikes and tank shelling resulted in the deaths of 28 Palestinians, marking a severe escalation in the conflict.
Efforts by Qatari and Egyptian mediators to broker a ceasefire have yet to yield results. Talks aimed at ending the violence and facilitating the release of prisoners and humanitarian aid have stalled, with no breakthrough in sight, according to sources close to the negotiations.
Tanks Push Forward in Rafah
A month after launching an offensive in Rafah, Israeli tank forces have now reached the southwestern edges of the city, nearing the border with Egypt. Local residents report that tanks are positioned in the Al Izba district, and snipers have taken strategic positions, effectively trapping civilians in their homes. The threat of machine gun fire has made venturing outside perilous.
Health officials in Gaza reported that tank shelling in western Rafah killed two Palestinians and wounded several others. In central Gaza, overnight airstrikes claimed the lives of 15 people, according to Palestinian medics.
“I think the occupation forces are trying to reach the beach area of Rafah. The raids and the bombing overnight were tactical; they entered under heavy fire and then retreated,” said a resident of Rafah via a chat app.
Read More:Gaza School Strike Dozens Dead Amid Escalating Conflict
Casualties in Khan Younis and Gaza City
In Khan Younis, just north of Rafah, an Israeli airstrike on a house killed eight people and injured several others, including children. Meanwhile, in Gaza City, three Palestinians died in an airstrike on a school building that was serving as a shelter for displaced families.
Hamas reported that its fighters targeted Israeli troops barricaded in a house in Deir al-Balah, resulting in casualties. Helicopters were seen evacuating the injured Israeli soldiers.
The Israeli military, in its latest update, claimed to have killed “dozens” of militants and destroyed militant infrastructure in ongoing operations in the al-Bureij refugee camp and Deir al-Balah. Israel has accused Hamas of causing high civilian casualties by operating in densely populated areas, a charge Hamas denies. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations, however, have accused Israel of using disproportionate force, a claim Israel rejects.
Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
On Thursday, Israel targeted an al-Nuseirat school building, reportedly killing 40 people, including women and children, in an airstrike aimed at militant combatants. This incident highlights the severe toll on civilians, as described by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric: “It’s just another horrific example of the price that civilians are paying. Palestinian men, women, and children who are just trying to survive are being forced to move around in a death circle, trying to find safety.”
Israel has stated that peace will not be achieved until Hamas is eradicated. Despite the destruction of much of Gaza, Hamas fighters continue to resurface, challenging Israeli forces in previously declared secure areas. The ongoing conflict leaves Gaza in ruins, with civilians caught in the relentless cycle of violence.
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