Israel has defended its airstrike in the Gazan city of Rafah, which reportedly resulted in significant civilian casualties, as a “precise strike” aimed at two senior Hamas leaders.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted the Tel Al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, killing at least 35 people and injuring dozens, predominantly women and children, according to the health ministry of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian enclave.
Ne détournez pas le regard, retweeter, liker tout ce qui ce passe à Rafah c’est un GÉNOCIDE, déplacer des humains dans un endroit et les tuer c’est UN GÉNOCIDE ne laissez plus les autres donner un autre nom à ce qui se passe pic.twitter.com/vsJZ9dtRXs
— syl🦦 (@syylllia) May 26, 2024
Footage from the scene, purportedly designated as a safe zone for displaced civilians, showed extensive devastation with fires engulfing a tent camp.
A spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society cautioned that many people were trapped in the burning debris, potentially increasing the death toll.
Videos depicted rescuers pulling severely burnt survivors and scorched bodies from the ruins, as first responders struggled to assist the injured and extinguish the flames.
Earlier this month, the IDF had ordered a partial evacuation of the neighborhood, but three blocks were still marked as safe, prompting people to seek refuge there, according to Al Jazeera.
ACTRSS CANDICE KING CALLS OUT RAFAH MASSACRE AND BEHEADED BABIES
“The beheaded babies should draw the line for us all” pic.twitter.com/hx7ypuwlWl
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) May 27, 2024
The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike, stating it targeted a Hamas compound and successfully killed two “senior terrorists” involved in planning and executing multiple attacks that resulted in IDF casualties.
“The strike was conducted against legitimate targets under international law, using precise munitions based on accurate intelligence,” the Israeli military stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The IDF acknowledged reports of civilian harm due to the strike and ensuing fire, noting that the “incident is under review.”
Last week, the United Nations’ top judicial body, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), ordered Israel to immediately cease its operation in Rafah. The court expressed skepticism that Israel’s evacuation efforts and related measures were adequate to “alleviate the immense risk” to civilians.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, when the Gaza-based group launched a surprise raid into southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. According to the enclave’s health authorities, more than 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed so far in the IDF’s operation against the militants.
