Israel’s war on Gaza live: No safe shelter as dozens killed in Rafah

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a devastating situation in Rafah, where an Israeli airstrike on a displacement camp has killed at least 40 people and injured dozens more. The attack occurred in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, a designated UN "safe zone" where thousands of Palestinians had sought refuge amidst the fighting [❞] [❞].

Eyewitness accounts describe harrowing scenes of charred bodies and dismembered limbs, with tents set ablaze, trapping and burning people alive. The humanitarian crisis is deepening, with essential aid routes blocked and thousands of people forced to flee yet again to areas lacking basic necessities like water and sanitation [❞] [❞].

The Israeli military has acknowledged civilian casualties but maintains that the strike targeted a Hamas compound, describing the attack as a legitimate military action under international law. However, international bodies like the UN and humanitarian organizations have condemned the strike and the broader military offensive, highlighting the severe impact on civilians [❞] [❞].

This incident is part of a larger and ongoing conflict that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and the displacement of nearly 1.7 million people since October 2023. The situation remains dire, with continued bombings, ground offensives, and a critical shortage of humanitarian aid [❞].