Israeli tanks advanced to the edge of a crowded district in Rafah, one of the most intense battle nights since Israel launched its offensive. Palestinian residents reported Israeli drones firing on fishing boats on the beach of Rafah, causing some to catch fire. Israel claims the attacks are necessary to root out the last battalions of Hamas fighters believed to be in the city.
The assault on Rafah in Gaza’s southern edge has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the area, cutting off main access routes for aid into Gaza. Israel’s troops have moved into the outskirts of Rafah since the beginning of the month to target Hamas fighters they believe are sheltered there. Tanks have advanced to the Yibna neighborhood, but there have been reports of intense fighting preventing further entry.
Hamas’s armed wing claimed to have struck two armored troop carriers at a gate along the border fence using anti-tank rockets. Palestinian residents reported intense Israeli fire from drones, helicopters, warplanes, and tanks throughout the night. The situation has led to thousands fleeing Rafah, despite international pleas for restraint. UNRWA estimated that over 800,000 people had fled Rafah since the attacks began.
Israel launched its assault on Gaza in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli communities, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of over 250 hostages. The ongoing assault has led to the deaths of over 35,000 people, with thousands more feared trapped under rubble. The Israeli military claimed to have killed a key Hamas operative, along with other militants, in targeted strikes in various locations.
In Zawayda in the central Gaza Strip, an Israeli airstrike killed seven people in one house. Meanwhile, on Gaza’s northern edge in Jabalia, Israeli forces continued their ground offensive, destroying residential districts and causing numerous casualties. The operation in Rafah has been happening in parallel with the ground assault in Jabalia, with reports of entire neighborhoods being destroyed.
There have been concerns about the impact of the Israeli offensive on Gaza’s civilian population, with fears of mass casualties and famine. The international community has called for restraint and has expressed alarm at the escalating violence. The situation remains volatile, with Hamas vowing to defend Gaza against Israeli attacks, while Israel maintains its operations to target Hamas militants hiding in densely populated areas. The people of Gaza continue to suffer the devastating consequences of the conflict, with homes destroyed, families displaced, and lives lost in the ongoing violence.
