Multiple Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed 35 Palestinians in Rafah while several others were injured, as per the Palestinian health and civil emergency service officials, reported Reuters. Women and children accounted for the most number of injured persons. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported that its field hospital in Rafah received a high number of casualties, with other hospitals also admitting patients in large numbers. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned the attack in Rafah as a “massacre,” blaming the United States for supplying Israel with weapons and financial support.
“The air strikes burnt the tents, the tents are melting and the people’s bodies are also melting,” said a resident who arrived at the Kuwaiti hospital in Rafah told Reuters.
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As per the Israeli military, its air force targeted a Hamas compound in Rafah using “precise ammunition and on the basis of precise intelligence”. The strike eliminated Hamas’ chief of staff for the West Bank and another senior official responsible for deadly attacks on Israelis.
On the matter of Palestinian casualties, the IDF said, “The IDF is aware of reports indicating that as a result of the strike and fire that was ignited several civilians in the area were harmed. The incident is under review.”
Earlier, the Israeli military had said that eight projectiles were identified crossing from the area of Rafah. A number of the projectiles were intercepted, it said, reporting no casualites.
Israel has continued its operations in Rafah despite a ruling by the top ICJ ordering it to stop attacking the city.
As per the Gaza health ministry, so far at least 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7. The United Nations’ ICJ, on May 24, had asked Israel to immediately halt its offensive in Rafah, but stopped short of ordering a cease-fire for the enclave.
(With Agency inputs)
