The Israeli military’s offensive in Gaza has reached a new level of intensity, with the latest reports indicating that at least 25 Palestinians have been killed and 50 injured following a bombardment on refugee camps in the Rafah region. Despite the area being previously designated as a ‘safe zone,’ eyewitnesses have reported that Israeli tanks targeted the camps, causing fires and widespread panic among the displaced population. The Palestinian Health Ministry and the Palestinian Red Crescent have been overwhelmed by the casualties, as ambulances rush to transport the dead and injured to field hospitals. The Rafah region, already struggling with a humanitarian crisis, is now facing even more dire conditions, with Mayor Ahmed es-Sufi declaring the city a military operation zone and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reporting that around 65,000 people are unable to meet their basic daily needs and are trapped under the rubble with targeted hospitals and educational institutions exacerbating the crisis. The United Nations has repeatedly condemned the systematic destruction of Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 37,100 people, including a staggering 15,694 children and 10,279 women, since the conflict began on October 7. The Israeli military has stated that it is investigating the strikes, but the continued violence has drawn international criticism, with the UN warning of a ‘plausible risk of genocide’. The situation remains critical as thousands of people remain trapped under the rubble, and the psychological impact on children is profound, with many suffering from depression and despair.
Key points
- Israeli forces bombed Palestinian refugee camps in Rafah, killing at least 25 and injuring 50, amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis.
- The UN has warned of a ‘plausible risk of genocide’ in Gaza, where over 37,100 people have been killed since October 7, including thousands of children and women.
- The city of Rafah is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with 65,000 people unable to meet basic daily needs and many trapped under rubble.
