Israeli airstrikes hit the southern Gaza city of Rafah, killing several civilians, including women and children, according to Palestinian state media. This has caused more fear in an area where over one million displaced Palestinians are living in tents and temporary quarters. Palestinians in Rafah have been preparing for a potential Israeli ground offensive, as more than half of Gaza’s residents have been forced to flee their homes due to months of Israeli bombardment and a ground invasion.
The airstrikes targeted two family homes, resulting in the deaths of 10 residents, and other areas of Rafah were also hit by missiles and artillery. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strikes, but it has stated that the goal of its offensive in Gaza is to eradicate Hamas, the group that controls the Gaza Strip. The attacks have left residents like Mohammad al-Masri, who is living in a tent with his family in a Rafah encampment, feeling scared and unsure of where to go for safety when they hear the strikes.
Despite President Biden and other world leaders urging Israel not to invade Rafah due to the potential worsening of the humanitarian crisis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed the necessity of a ground offensive to complete the elimination of Hamas and destroy its tunnel networks. The strikes on Saturday have heightened fears among Palestinians in Rafah that an invasion could be imminent, as they already live in a dire humanitarian situation. Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that a military offensive in Rafah would only compound the existing humanitarian catastrophe.
Rahaf Al-Madhoun, a 17-year-old resident of Rafah, was live streaming on TikTok to discuss the living conditions in the area when the airstrikes began. She expressed the fear and terror experienced by the residents, as they live under constant surveillance by drones overhead. The ongoing violence and uncertainty have left many residents feeling helpless and overwhelmed by fear. The situation in Rafah continues to deteriorate, with residents unsure of what the future holds for them.
As the violence escalates in Rafah, with civilians being killed and homes destroyed, the international community has called for an end to the Israeli offensive and a focus on resolving the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Concerns are growing that the situation could worsen if a ground invasion takes place, further displacing already vulnerable Palestinians. The continued airstrikes and threats of invasion have created a sense of urgency for world leaders to intervene and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza.
