Medics have reported that an Israeli air attack in Rafah resulted in a large fire at a makeshift camp for displaced individuals, resulting in the deaths of 45 people. The sight of burnt and mutilated children has sparked anger from world leaders and threatened ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire.
An overnight bombing by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) aimed at senior Hamas militants sparked fires that rapidly spread through tents and temporary shelters, leading to the overwhelming of a nearby field hospital run by the International Committee of the Red Cross and strained local hospitals.
“Despite our efforts to minimize civilian casualties during the strike, the fire that broke out was unexpected and unintended…Our investigation seeks to determine what may have caused such a large fire to ignite.“
Watch the full statement by IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel… pic.twitter.com/fzaRSnpgbE
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 28, 2024
“We rescued individuals who were in a difficult situation,” stated Mohammed Abuassa, who quickly arrived at the location in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood in the north-western area, to the Associated Press. We removed kids who were broken into fragments. We removed both the young and old individuals. The fire at the camp was unbelievable.
The health ministry in the Hamas-governed region reported that approximately fifty percent of the deceased were females, children, and elderly individuals. Unshod kids roamed the smoldering debris on Monday while the hunt for the deceased persisted and grieving families got ready to lay their loved ones to rest.
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed in parliament that the airstrike had tragically resulted in something going wrong. He stated that we are looking into the incident and will come to conclusions as per our policy.
Over 85% of the population in Palestinian territory sought refuge in the area after escaping conflict elsewhere, with one million people being displaced again following the start of Israel’s ground operation on 6 May. Israeli ground forces have examined the southern and eastern edges of Rafah, avoiding the densely populated center thus far.
Aid shipments are now moving at a very slow pace due to obstacles at the Rafah and nearby Kerem Shalom border crossings.
Criticism of Israel’s conflict with Hamas has increased as the death toll and humanitarian crisis in the area worsen. However, Israeli leaders have consistently stated that conducting a ground mission in Rafah, where they believe Hamas leaders and four battalions of fighters are located with Israeli captives, is crucial for achieving complete success.
Recognising Palestine: ‘The beginning’ of a process?
Denmark’s parliament rejected a proposal to acknowledge a Palestinian state because the foreign minister stated that the essential requirements for sovereignty are not present.
Spain, Ireland, and Norway made a formal declaration that they have acknowledged the existence of a Palestinian state.
South Africa has aligned itself with the global community in denouncing the Israeli assault on a refugee camp housing displaced Palestinians in Rafah.
Israeli warplanes attacked the al-Faluja region, located to the west of Jabalia camp, causing casualties among civilians who were returning to the area following the Israeli forces’ withdrawal.
Several Israeli air strikes targeted a region to the west of Rafah city, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuring many others.
It is a symbolic gesture from Ireland in support of the Palestinian cause and statehood, recently approved legally by the cabinet.
There has been an announcement from the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the country, Micheal Martin.
He states that acknowledging “Palestine is just the start, not the conclusion.”
He stated that Ireland is strongly dedicated to working towards peace and aiding in the development of a Palestinian state.
This is something that Ireland has, of course, backed for many years – however, this reconition would push it further.
