Israeli forces have raided a Hamas tunnel in Rafah, seizing a weapons cache and explosives. The raid comes as part of Israel's ongoing offensive in the southern Gaza city, which has seen intense fighting and the displacement of thousands of residents.
Israeli forces have intensified their offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, raiding a Hamas tunnel and seizing a weapons cache. The raid comes as part of Israel's ongoing efforts to root out the last remaining Hamas fighters believed to be sheltering in the city.
Israeli tanks advanced to the edge of a crowded district in Rafah, drawing fierce resistance from Hamas militants. Palestinian residents reported heavy shelling and drone strikes throughout the night, with some fishing boats on the beach being set ablaze.
Israel has justified its assault on Rafah, claiming that it is necessary to eliminate Hamas's military presence in the city. However, the offensive has raised international concerns about civilian casualties and the potential for a wider escalation of the conflict.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) estimates that over 800,000 people have fled Rafah since Israel began targeting the city in early May. Many residents are seeking refuge in overcrowded schools and mosques, with limited access to food, water, and medical care.
The humanitarian crisis in Rafah is deepening as Israeli forces continue to press their offensive. The city has been cut off from the main access routes for aid, leaving residents desperate for assistance.
Israeli forces have also been accused of targeting civilian infrastructure in Rafah, including schools and hospitals. On Wednesday, an Israeli air strike killed seven people in a single house in the central Gaza Strip town of Zawayda.
In the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have launched a ground offensive in the Jabalia refugee camp, one of the largest and most densely populated areas in Gaza. Health officials and residents say that entire residential districts have been destroyed and dozens of people killed in the operation.
Israel claims that its return to Jabalia is necessary to prevent Hamas from re-establishing itself in the area. However, the offensive has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups, who accuse Israel of using excessive force and endangering civilians.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis. International efforts to broker a ceasefire have so far failed, and the situation remains highly volatile. The United Nations has warned that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching a critical point, and has called for an immediate end to the violence.
