How Did an Israeli Airstrike on Rafah Lead to Dozens of Civilian Deaths?
On May 26, 2024, an Israeli airstrike targeted a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, southern Gaza, killing at least 35 people and injuring dozens more. The camp, located in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, was within a humanitarian zone designated by the Israeli military to provide shelter for civilians.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, most victims were women and children, intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the region. This incident has significantly heightened the international community’s concern over the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli military claimed that the airstrike was aimed at a Hamas compound and resulted in the deaths of two senior Hamas leaders.
However, the attack also caused significant civilian casualties, which the military acknowledged, stating they were investigating reports of harm to non-combatants.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of devastation, with shrapnel causing severe injuries and fires rapidly spreading through the densely packed tents. These events underscore the complexity and the severe humanitarian cost of the ongoing military operations.
The humanitarian response to the strike has been urgent and widespread.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that their ambulance crews transported numerous victims to the Tal al-Sultan clinic and other field hospitals in Rafah, where medical facilities are struggling due to limited resources.
Doctors Without Borders confirmed that over 15 dead and dozens of wounded were brought to a trauma stabilization center they support in the area.
Dr. James Smith, a British emergency specialist working in Rafah, described the injuries as among the worst he had seen, highlighting the severe humanitarian conditions. This situation has led to increased calls for immediate international intervention and support.
The incident has drawn widespread international condemnation. The International Court of Justice recently ordered Israel to halt its military operations in Rafah, though enforcement capabilities are limited.
The United Nations estimates that over 800,000 people have fled Rafah since the Israeli offensive began, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Despite international pressure, Israeli officials maintain that their operations in Rafah are necessary to dismantle Hamas infrastructure, arguing that the offensive is crucial for national security and the protection of Israeli citizens.
In a related development, following the airstrike, Hamas launched rockets towards central Israel, triggering air-raid sirens in the Tel Aviv area for the first time in months. The Israeli military reported that several rockets were intercepted by air defenses, and there were no immediate reports of major damage.
Hamas claimed the rocket fire was in response to the “massacres against civilians,” further escalating the conflict and demonstrating the ongoing volatility in the region.
Amidst this, aid deliveries into Gaza have been severely disrupted due to the conflict. Egypt had blocked aid from entering Gaza via its territory following Israel’s seizure of the Rafah crossing in early May.
However, under a new U.S.-brokered agreement, aid trucks from Egypt began entering Gaza through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing.
On May 26, 126 trucks carrying food, fuel, and other necessities entered Gaza, inspected by Israeli officials. This development is a temporary relief in the midst of an escalating humanitarian disaster, highlighting the urgent need for sustained and secure aid channels.
The quantity of aid reaching Gaza has drastically reduced since the conflict began, leading to warnings of widespread hunger and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations and aid organizations have been urging Israel to open more routes for aid delivery. The World Court recently ordered Israel to open the Rafah crossing for unhindered aid provision, but Israel remains cautious, aiming to prevent terrorist organizations from controlling the crossing.
The airstrike in Rafah is part of a broader Israeli military offensive aimed at dismantling Hamas’s operational capabilities.
The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement on both sides. Cease-fire negotiations have been intermittently attempted, with diplomats from various countries, including the United States and France, seeking to mediate a resolution.
As the conflict continues, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with international agencies calling for immediate measures to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of essential aid.