Israeli Airstrike Hits Rafah Area: At Least 35 Killed
- Publish date: Monday، 27 May 2024
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An Israeli airstrike targeted the Rafah area on Sunday shortly after Hamas launched a barrage of rockets towards Tel Aviv.
Reports from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported that at least 35 people have been killed in the blast, with videos depicting the aftermath showing significant damage and fires in the southern Gaza Strip.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the airstrike aimed to target two senior Hamas leaders within one of the group's compounds. While the IDF acknowledged reports of fire spreading to civilian shelters, they emphasized their intention to review the situation further.
The exchange of hostilities comes amidst heightened tensions, with Hamas's rocket attacks on Tel Aviv marking the first such incidents targeting the city since January. The airstrike on the Rafah area occurred just two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to cease its military operations in the region, where many civilians seek refuge.
The IDF reported the elimination of two senior Hamas figures, Yassin Rabia and Khaled Nagar, in what they described as a precise strike. However, Hamas authorities reported a significant number of casualties at a refugee camp for displaced Palestinians located away from recent military activity zones.
The situation underscores the complex and volatile nature of the conflict in the region, with both sides facing international scrutiny over civilian casualties and the escalation of violence.