In the early hours of the day, Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, became the epicenter of a dramatic rescue operation. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) successfully freed two Israeli hostages, Fernando Simon Marman (60) and Louis Har (70), who had been taken from the Nir Yitzhak kibbutz in the 7 October Hamas attacks. The IDF reported that the hostages were in “good condition” upon their arrival at Sheba Hospital in central Israel.
However, the rescue operation was not without its consequences. As the IDF carried out their mission, a series of strikes hit Rafah, resulting in significant casualties. According to Gaza health officials, at least 37 Palestinians lost their lives in these strikes.
The victims were taken to various hospitals in the area, with 20 at the Kuwaiti hospital, 12 at the European hospital, and five at the Abu Youssef Al-Najar hospital. For a comprehensive look at the Israel-Hamas conflict, including the situation in Rafah, check out CNN’s live updates.
“Every day, we’re on the run. Being displaced is tough because I have two daughters with disabilities. I can’t carry them around. I don’t have a car or a cart,” said Laila Abu Mustafa, a resident of Rafah, expressing her fear and desperation.
The strikes didn’t just claim lives; they also caused considerable damage to the city’s infrastructure. Residents reported that two mosques and several houses were bombed during the operation. The strikes caused widespread panic among the residents of Rafah, many of whom were asleep when the strikes began.
The Israeli military stated that it had concluded its “series of strikes” on southern Gaza. However, the prospect of a ground offensive on Rafah remains a concern for the international community.
Despite warnings from aid agencies and international leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears determined to push ahead with the offensive. The international response to the situation in Rafah has been covered extensively by The Hill.
As the conflict continues, Rafah has become a refuge for more than half of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million. With the city pressed up against the border with Egypt and overcrowded makeshift tent camps housing the displaced, it remains unclear where these people can go if an assault takes place.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres expressed his concern for the displaced in Rafah, stating, “No homes, no hope” in Rafah.
Netanyahu has claimed that Israel will provide safe passage for the displaced Palestinians. However, he has not provided any details or a timeline for this plan. As the situation in Rafah remains tense, the world watches and waits for what will happen next in this ongoing conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview with ABC News, asserted that “victory is in reach” and that the Israeli military were “going to get the remaining Hamas terrorist battalions in Rafah”. He also promised to “provide safe passage” for civilians in the southern city. For more on Netanyahu’s plans for Rafah and the IDF’s operations, see ABC News’ live updates.
The German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, posted on social media, expressing her concern about the situation in Gaza: “The people in Gaza cannot disappear into thin air”.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community is closely monitoring the developments in Rafah. The hope is for a peaceful resolution that ensures the safety and well-being of all those affected by the conflict.
