Israel targets residential tower in Rafah, leaving dozens homeless
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Israel intensified its military operations in the Gaza Strip by striking one of Rafah's largest residential towers, a southern city in the enclave.
The 12-floor building, situated near the border with Egypt, suffered damage, resulting in dozens of families becoming homeless. Despite the strike, no casualties were reported. Israel allegedly provided a 30-minute warning to evacuate the building before the attack.
Residents recounted the chaotic evacuation, with people rushing downstairs and some falling during the process.
Mohammad Al-Nabrees, one of the tower's residents, highlighted the panic and chaos caused by the abrupt evacuation, with individuals leaving behind belongings and money. The Israeli military has not issued an immediate response regarding the incident, reported Reuters.
A Fatah party official in Rafah expressed concerns that the strike on the residential tower could signal an imminent Israeli invasion. The ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, lasting five months, has resulted in nearly 31,000 Palestinians killed, over 72,500 wounded, and thousands trapped under rubble. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by the conflict, leading to a dire situation with the United Nations warning of disease and starvation.
The International Committee of the Red Cross called for an end to hostilities to facilitate aid distribution in Gaza, the release of hostages by militants without conditions, and the humane treatment of Palestinians in Israeli custody. The war was triggered by an attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in casualties and hostages.
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and the release of hostages appeared to stall, with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaching. The lack of progress was attributed to Israel's refusal to provide guarantees or commitments to end the war or withdraw forces from the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military reported conducting arrests, locating weapons, and killing over 30 fighters in various areas of Gaza in the past day.
Gaza's health ministry reported at least 82 people killed in Israeli attacks across the territory in the last day. In Khan Younis, medics confirmed at least 23 casualties from military raids on homes and Israeli shelling of a housing project in the Hamad area. Additionally, a Palestinian fisherman was killed along the beach in the northern Gaza Strip due to Israeli fire.