On May 27, an Israeli airstrike hit a refugee camp in the Gazan city of Rafah, killing 45 people. The airstrike sparked a global outcry among world leaders, who are calling for the issue of a World Court Order to halt Israel’s continued assault on Gaza. Survivors of the attack had been preparing to sleep when the strike hit the region, where thousands were sheltering following Israel’s steady ground offensive at the east of Rafah two weeks ago.
Israel’s military, which is claiming to be eradicating the presence of Hamas in this region, claims that the airstrike had not been undertaken with the intention of causing civilian casualties. Meanwhile, video footage obtained in this region shows raging fire in darkness, while people scream in panic. A hose from a single fire truck attempted to put out the fire. Health officials in Gaza state that more than half the dead were women, children, and elderly people.
By dawn, the camp was in shambles, with burned down tents and charred belongings. People lay beside shrouded bodies, saying their final prayers and goodbyes.
Israel’s Response to Gaza Airstrikes
Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, says the following in his speech in the parliament: “In Rafah, we already evacuated about 1 million non-combatant residents and despite our utmost effort not to harm non-combatants, something unfortunately went tragically wrong.” His speech was met with severe opposition, especially by family members of the hostages who had been critical of him for failing to strike a deal to bring back their loved ones. He states that Israel took “every precaution possible” to protect civilians, and reiterates that the IDF forces were using their best efforts to not cause further damage to not harm ‘“those uninvolved”.
Despite the recent ICJ ruling ordering a halt on Israel’s offensive, Israeli military forces continue to advance in this region, stating that the ruling does offer some scope for military action in these areas. Israel’s military had also stated that the airstrike was a ‘precise’ military operation that had successfully Hamas’ chief of staff for the second and larger Palestinian territory, the West Bank, plus another official behind deadly attacks on Israelis.
Top IDF military officials, including Maj Gen Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi, the IDF’s advocate general, have promised an investigation into the incident in order to provide a more thorough explanation for the casualties caused.
Global Response to Rafah and Mass Condemnation
There has been a worldwide condemnation of this attack, with countries such as France and Germany joining the global outrage against the airstrike that killed 45 civilians.
Antònio Guterres, UN Chief, has issued a striking condemnation, in which he states: “There is no safe place in Gaza. This horror must stop, The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, claims that there has been “no apparent change in the methods and means of warfare used by Israel that have already led to so many civilian deaths. The UN Security Council, at the request of Algeria, has called on a closed-door emergency meeting to discuss the issue at hand.
The US has urged Israel to take the necessary precautions to prevent such civilian casualties, while failing to call for a ceasefire, insisting that Israel had the right to defend itself. “Israel has a right to go after Hamas, and we understand this strike killed two senior Hamas terrorists who are responsible for attacks against Israeli civilians,” a National Security Council spokesperson said. “But as we’ve been clear, Israel must take every precaution possible to protect civilians.”
Following the attacks. Several global aid agencies wrote a joint letter to the UN Security Council, urging for the enforcement of the ICJ Ruling that ordered Israel to “immediately halt” its military offensive in Rafah. Despite the order, “bloodshed has continued,” the letter read.
The Current Situation in Rafah
With military operations intensifying in Rafah, several who had initially seeked refuge here are fleeing the region. Although Rafah had been a designated safe-zone, many have now been ordered to leave or are fleeing due to the recent attacks. Meanwhile, several European Nations, such as Spain, Norway, and Ireland, have joined the movement that recognizes a Palestinian Statehood. This landmark decision, one that reflects that of over 140 of the 193 UN Member states to recognize a Palestinian state, is welcomed by The Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation. We are yet to receive updates that reveal further information.
