On Friday, Israeli forces heavily bombarded Rafah in southern Gaza and other areas, resulting in at least 45 Palestinian deaths. Close-quarter combat occurred between Israeli troops and Hamas.
Residents reported that Israeli forces seemed intent on capturing all of Rafah, having already secured its east, south, and center, with tanks advancing into the western and northern parts.
Air, tank, and naval bombardments caused many to flee the city, which had previously sheltered over a million displaced people. The Gaza health ministry confirmed that at least 25 Palestinians were killed and 50 injured in Mawasi, western Rafah. Residents claimed a tank shell hit a tent housing displaced families.
The Israeli military stated it was reviewing the incident but had no initial indications of an IDF strike in the humanitarian area. Earlier, the military reported precise operations in Rafah, involving close-quarter combat and the discovery of Hamas tunnels.
In Nusseirat, central Gaza, Israeli forces killed dozens of fighters and uncovered a Hamas weapons depot. Residents described an intensifying Israeli assault on Rafah with continuous explosions and gunfire. A resident named Hatem described the severe bombardment, suggesting that resistance fighters were slowing the Israeli advance.
In addition to Rafah, Israeli airstrikes hit Khan Younis and Gaza City. In Khan Younis, three people, including a father and son, were killed. An airstrike on a Gaza City municipal facility killed five people, including four workers, and another strike on a house in the nearby Beach camp killed at least seven.
The ICRC reported damage to its Gaza office from heavy projectiles, expressing concern over the safety of civilians and humanitarians. The ongoing Israeli campaign followed an October 7th attack by Hamas in southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. The conflict has devastated Gaza, resulting in over 37,400 Palestinian deaths and widespread displacement.
The UN emphasized Israel’s responsibility to restore order and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery amid warnings of imminent famine.