Nearly three dozen people were killed Sunday night in Rafah in southern Gaza in an Israeli airstrike that hit an area where internally displaced civilians were reportedly sheltering in tents. The Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 35 deaths, the majority being women and children, in the strike on the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. Médecins Sans Frontières and the Palestine Red Crescent Society supported the victims, with MSF stating that at least 15 dead and dozens of injured people were taken to a trauma stabilization point. The strike targeted two Hamas leaders, but reports of civilian casualties led to condemnation from aid groups calling for a ceasefire.
Footage shared on social media showed a tent area engulfed in flames as Palestinians fled for safety and civil defense crews worked to extinguish the blaze. The Israel Defense Forces stated that the strike targeted legitimate Hamas leaders responsible for terror attacks, but were aware of civilian tent ignitions and the incident was under review. Hamas called the strike a “massacre” and condemned the killing of civilians. Earlier that day, Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, launched a missile barrage in response to what they called “Zionist massacres against civilians,” with some projectiles crossing into Israeli territory.
The attack came just two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to stop its military assault on Rafah, citing the immediate risk to Palestinians in the border city. The ruling stated that more than 800,000 people had been forced to flee the area earlier in the month as a result of Israel’s actions. Despite the ruling, Israel continued its operations in the region, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing international and domestic scrutiny for the conduct of the war since the Hamas-led attack in October. The ongoing conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and hostages, with civilians facing dire conditions such as lack of access to food and clean water.
The situation in Gaza has worsened over the last seven months of war, with more than 35,000 people killed according to local health authorities. Aid groups have warned of catastrophic conditions for civilians, including disease and famine in some areas of the enclave. The ICJ ruling against Israel’s military assault on Rafah has not been enforced, and Israel’s actions in the region continue despite international condemnation. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a humanitarian crisis, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence and facing life-threatening conditions due to the lack of basic necessities.
