At Least 25 Killed, 50 Wounded in Israeli Strikes on Tent Camps Near Rafah, Gaza

Photo : AP

In a tragic development in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces launched a shelling attack on tent camps housing displaced Palestinians near Rafah, resulting in devastating casualties. According to Gaza's health officials and emergency workers, the assault left at least 25 people dead and another 50 wounded.

This deadly incident marks the latest in a series of violent clashes in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands have been displaced amidst ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas. It comes shortly after another Israeli bombing incident ignited a fatal fire in a Palestinian displacement camp in southern Gaza, sparking international outcry.

Witnesses near a Red Cross field hospital north of Rafah recounted harrowing scenes, reporting that Israeli forces fired a second round of shells that struck individuals emerging from their tents. The International Committee of the Red Cross condemned the attack, stating that the hospital had to cope with a flood of casualties, including 22 fatalities and 45 injuries. The ICRC criticized the firing of high-caliber projectiles near the hospital, emphasizing the vulnerability of hundreds living in nearby tents, including hospital staff.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel    

Ahmed Radwan, spokesperson for Civil Defense in Rafah, detailed the shelling at multiple locations along the coast where makeshift tents had been set up. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed the death toll and injuries resulting from the attacks.

The incidents occurred just outside Muwasi, a designated safe zone along the Mediterranean coast, where displaced Palestinians have erected makeshift camps due to the ongoing conflict. The Israeli military stated that the episode was under review but denied conducting strikes within the safe zone.

Israel maintains that its military operations target Hamas fighters and infrastructure while attempting to minimize civilian casualties. However, the high number of civilian deaths has drawn significant international criticism, with allegations of disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilian lives.

The attack near the Red Cross hospital began with a sound bomb, followed by a more lethal strike that tragically claimed multiple lives, including those of individuals who rushed to aid panicked women and children. The hospital, clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem and known to all parties in the conflict, has been providing crucial medical services amidst dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

In addition to the shelling near Rafah, airstrikes in Gaza City claimed the lives of several people, including civilians in residential buildings and a municipal garage. Medical facilities like al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City struggled to cope with the influx of casualties, describing the day as one of immense suffering.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army reported casualties on its side, including the deaths of two soldiers and severe injuries to three others during combat in central Gaza.

The ongoing conflict has exacted a heavy toll on Gaza, with the Health Ministry reporting over 37,400 deaths, including civilians, due to Israeli ground offensives and bombardments. The conflict intensified following an attack by Hamas militants, which triggered Israel's military response.

As tensions escalate and casualties mount, international organizations and leaders continue to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.