Israeli shelling and airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 37 people, most of whom were sheltering in tents outside the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The strikes targeted the same area where a deadly fire broke out in a camp for displaced Palestinians, sparking international outrage. The tent camp inferno has drawn condemnation from Israel’s allies, with Spain, Norway, and Ireland formally recognizing a Palestinian state in response.
The Israeli military suggested that the fire in the tent camp may have been caused by secondary explosions from Palestinian militants’ weapons. However, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The strikes have forced over 1 million people to flee Rafah, with families scattered across makeshift tent camps and war-ravaged areas.
The assault on Rafah has intensified, with Israeli ground troops and tanks operating in various parts of the city. Recent shelling in the Tel al-Sultan district resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people, including those sheltering near a U.N. facility. The ongoing violence has led to a humanitarian crisis, with medical facilities in Tel al-Sultan being rendered inoperable due to intense bombing nearby.
The situation in Rafah continues to deteriorate, with residents fleeing to other areas for safety. The United States and other allies have warned against a full-fledged offensive in the city, while the International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to halt its operations in Rafah. The conflict has taken a heavy toll on Gaza’s population, with many displaced and facing shortages of essential supplies. The fighting shows no signs of abating, with the international community calling for an end to the violence.
