Israeli Shelling and Airstrikes Cause Mass Casualty in Rafah
Israeli forces have launched intense shelling and airstrikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 individuals. The majority of casualties were civilians who had sought refuge in tents outside the city due to the ongoing conflict.
International Condemnation and Isolation
The tragic incident has sparked widespread international outrage, with even Israel’s closest allies expressing condemnation over the military’s expanded offensive. Several countries, including Spain, Norway, and Ireland, have formally recognized a Palestinian state, indicating Israel’s increasing isolation on the global stage.
Tent Camp Fire and Israeli Explanations
The Israeli military claims that the fire at the tent camp on Sunday may have been caused by secondary explosions from weapons belonging to Palestinian militants. However, Gaza health officials maintain that the blaze resulted in the deaths of 45 Palestinians.
UN Calls for Ceasefire
Algeria has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council, urging an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israel’s offensive in Rafah. The UN agency aiding Palestinian refugees reports that over one million individuals have fled the city since the attacks began on May 6.
Escalating Violence and Civilian Casualties
Late Monday and early Tuesday, shelling targeted Rafah’s western Tel al-Sultan district, killing at least 16 people, including seven who were located in tents adjacent to a UN facility. “It was a night of horror,” said a Palestinian resident who had been sheltering in Tel al-Sultan. “We saw this before,” he added, referring to a previous Israeli invasion of his neighborhood in 2023.
Healthcare Crisis
Most of Gaza’s hospitals are no longer functioning. Rafah’s Kuwait Hospital was forced to close after a strike near its entrance killed two health workers. An Israeli drone strike on Tuesday afternoon targeted tents near a field hospital, killing at least 21 people, including 13 women.
