Rafah is 'hell on Earth', warns UN agency head, as Netanyahu claims airstrike was a 'tragic mistake'
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According to the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Rafah, a city in the southern region of Gaza, has turned into a place resembling Hell.
![Rafah - Figure 1](https://e3.365dm.com/24/05/768x432/skynews-rafah-strike_6567331.jpg?20240527190843)
The health department controlled by Hamas has reported that there were at least 45 casualties during an air attack by Israel on a campsite. The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that this occurrence was a "regrettable error".
UNRWA's commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini has reported that some of the organization's personnel are missing and that numerous civilians have been harmed.
He reported that some of the casualties included kids and females who were residing in provisional plastic tents, while others were allegedly incinerated.
The pictures captured last night clearly demonstrate how Rafah has transformed into an unbearable and agonizing place.
According to survivors, the families were getting ready to go to bed when the attack occurred on the Tel al Sultan neighborhood. Thousands of people were seeking refuge in this area after Israel launched a ground operation in the eastern part of Rafah.
Umm Mohamed Al-Attar, a Palestinian mother, shared that they were finishing their nighttime routine of praying and preparing their children's beds for sleep. Everything seemed normal until they suddenly heard an extremely loud noise and fire broke out all around them.
![Rafah - Figure 2](https://e3.365dm.com/24/05/768x432/skynews-gaza-rafah_6566814.jpg?20240526222006)
Every single kid began to yell loudly...it was such a frightful noise that we thought the metal would come crashing down on us. Fragments even fell into the rooms as well.
According to health officials in Gaza, over 50% of the deceased individuals were females, youngsters, and seniors. These officials also stated that due to the critical burns incurred by some of the wounded persons, the number of fatalities is expected to increase.
A medical facility set up by the Red Cross in Rafah had a large number of Palestinian patients who had sustained injuries.
According to William Schomburg, who is in charge of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Gaza, the hospital there has treated patients who have suffered from extremely gruesome injuries. This was reported to Sky News.
The injuries we're discussing here are extremely serious shrapnel wounds, severe burns, and injuries caused by the force of the blast. That's what he stated.
Our team carried out a number of procedures, unfortunately, some of which involved amputating limbs.
![Rafah - Figure 3](https://e3.365dm.com/24/05/768x432/skynews-rafah-palestine-gaza_6567457.jpg?20240528021413)
The Red Cross hospital in the field has recently started providing its services, though Mr. Schomberg has expressed his concern that it might become "overburdened in no time" if Israel continues its actions in Rafah.
Israel has continued its attack even after the highest UN judiciary issued a command to stop. They argue that the order still allows an allowance for military intervention.
During a presentation in the legislative assembly, Mr Netanyahu emphasized that the attack was not intended to harm innocent citizens.
The official reported that despite their best efforts to avoid hurting people who are not fighting, there was a tragic mistake in Rafah. They have already evacuated over a million people who are not involved in combat.
The Israel military had previously stated that the attack was aimed at "valid objectives" with "accurate ammunition" and based on "exact intelligence". They also noted that they are currently examining the situation.
Check out these news articles about the current events occurring in Israel and the United Kingdom. Benjamin Netanyahu's situation is becoming increasingly more difficult, while calls are being placed for the UK to acknowledge the existence of a Palestinian state.
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Israel has declared its intent to eradicate the presence of Hamas militants who are currently residing in Rafah. Additionally, they are aiming to free hostages who are being unlawfully detained within the region.
Doctors in Gaza have reported that an additional Israeli airstrike took place on a residence in Rafah on Monday, causing the death of seven individuals, alongside several others who were injured.
The United States requested that Israel should take extra measures to ensure the safety of civilians. However, they did not directly demand that the Rafah incursion should come to an immediate halt. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron, the French President, expressed his strong emotions of anger and disgust towards the situation.
The International Court of Justice ruling must be honored as stated by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.