Israeli airstrikes on Rafah reportedly kill 45 after Hamas launches rockets at Tel Aviv
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According to reports, numerous individuals have lost their lives and many more have been wounded due to Israeli bombing of Rafah after Hamas initiated rocket strikes directed at Tel Aviv for the first time in several months.
![Rafah - Figure 1](https://e3.365dm.com/24/05/768x432/skynews-rafah-gaza-israel-hamas-war_6566876.jpg?20240527074727)
Palestinian medics have reported that the recent attack in the southern Gaza city has caused damage to tents that were being used to house displaced people. Video footage captured at the location indicates that there has been significant destruction caused by the attack.
Israel's armed forces claim to have targeted a place where members of Hamas reside in Rafah and eliminated two high-ranking Hamas militants. They have expressed their interest in verifying the news that some innocent people were injured in the process.
According to reports, the assault eliminated the West Bank's top Hamas commander and another high-ranking official who were responsible for lethal assaults on Israelis.
The health ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, stated that a majority of the fatalities were women and children.
Hamas expressed its outrage over the assault, asserting it was targeted towards a densely inhabited location that hosted countless numbers of individuals who had been displaced.
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The protest occurred in the Tel al Sultan area located in the west of Rafah. This locality had accommodated numerous individuals who had evacuated the eastern parts of the city due to the commencement of Israeli troops' ground attack more than a fortnight ago.
As per a representative from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the number of casualties is expected to rise while the attempts to search and save lives carry on.
According to the community, Israel had marked the area as a "humanitarian zone" however many individuals are still caught amidst the devastation.
The IDF claimed in their statement that they launched an attack on legitimate targets that were in accordance with international law. They used precise weapons and relied on accurate intelligence that indicated Hamas' presence in the area.
The IDF has received reports that suggest some civilians were harmed due to the strike and fire that occurred in the region. The situation is being investigated.
The highest-ranking military prosecutor in Israel expressed that the situation was extremely serious and announced that the armed forces were in the process of conducting a thorough review of the events that occurred.
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"We are dedicated to carrying out a thorough investigation into the incident, and are presently investigating all aspects of it," said Major-General Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi while giving a speech at a conference organized by the Israel Bar Association.
The IDF is sorry for any damage caused to innocent civilians during the war.
The state of affairs in Gaza is so terrible that it can no longer be described in mere words. The condition is far worse than catastrophic as people are suffering from a multitude of problems and are struggling to survive. The living conditions are deplorable and people are living in constant fear. It is a dire situation that requires immediate attention.
Last Friday, the ICJ issued a ruling stating that Israel must cease its military operations in Rafah. However, Israel disagrees and argues that the mission is crucial to their national security and their ultimate objective of eradicating Hamas completely.
According to the humanitarian representative at Oxfam, the condition in Gaza is extremely dire and far exceeds the level of a typical catastrophic event.
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According to Magnus Corfixen, there has been a rise in random assaults by Israel following the ICJ verdict.
The circumstance is extremely dreadful.
He stated that Israel's military attack would cause more fatalities, particularly among women and children.
"He said that the situation will only continue to deteriorate."
The Palestinian refugee organization of the United Nations, known as UNRWA, expressed deep concern over news of aggression towards families searching for shelter in Rafah. The reports were described as shocking and distressing.
On X, UNRWA expressed their shock at the reports of additional assaults on families attempting to find refuge in Rafah.
There are some accounts that indicate a large number of people have been killed, including females and children. The place called Gaza is a horrible and nightmarish location. The pictures from the previous night clearly prove this.
Hamas has launched rockets aimed at Tel Aviv.
The attack on Rafah occurred subsequent to Hamas conducting rocket strikes from Gaza towards Tel Aviv on the same day.
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No casualties or harm have been reported yet from a long-range rocket attack originating from Gaza, which seems to be the first instance of such an attack since January. However, even after that time, Palestinian militants have been intermittently launching rockets and mortar rounds towards the Gaza border communities.
The attack was claimed by Hamas's armed division.
According to the Israeli military, eight pieces of weaponry moved across the border into Israel. These armaments were launched from Rafah, located in the southern region of Gaza. This area has recently experienced an invasion by Israeli forces.
The defence system of Israel, known as Iron Dome, managed to stop numerous missiles from hitting their target.
Explore further: Three nations have acknowledged the existence of the Palestinian state while Joe Biden stated that the current condition in Gaza should not be considered as an act of genocide.
On Sunday, aid trucks made their way into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, marking the initial time since the formation of a new aid agreement.
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When Israel took over control of the Gaza side, Egypt closed its side of the Rafah crossing, resulting in aid routes being redirected.
It is not certain if aid organizations can receive the incoming assistance due to the ongoing conflict in Rafah.
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Protests erupt in Israel over hostages There have been widespread protests in Israel following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hamas militants. The soldiers were seized during an attack on an Israeli army post near the Gaza border. The incident has provoked outrage among Israelis, who are calling on their government to take stronger action against Hamas. The protests have been largely peaceful, with crowds gathering in cities across Israel to demand the release of the soldiers. Some demonstrators have also called for a more aggressive military response, including the use of air strikes against Gaza. The Israeli government has condemned the Hamas attack and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the soldiers. However, it has also resisted calls for a military escalation, saying that it will use all diplomatic means to resolve the situation. The situation is tense, with both sides threatening retaliation if the other does not back down. It remains to be seen how the crisis will be resolved, but for now, the protests continue.
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The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, is becoming increasingly under pressure to negotiate with Hamas in order to release the remaining hostages, following the discovery of multiple bodies in recent times.
On the night of Saturday, Tel Aviv witnessed widespread demonstrations which led to clashes between the demonstrators and law enforcement agencies.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has been happening for eight months. Sadly, the Gaza health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, has reported that almost 36,000 Palestinians have lost their lives as a result.
The majority of the population in Gaza, which amounts to two million people, has been forced to leave their homes.
Last year on the 7th of October, Hamas launched an offensive against Israel which resulted in the death of 1,200 people. During the attack, militants also seized around 250 hostages. Unfortunately, even now, close to 100 hostages are still held captive in Gaza.