Israeli airstrikes and tank operations have escalated in the Gaza Strip’s Rafah region, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians, according to local residents and medical sources. On Tuesday, airstrikes targeted the historic refugee camps of Al-Nuseirat and Al-Bureij, killing 17 individuals and causing widespread destruction.
In the southern city of Rafah, Israeli tanks advanced into key neighborhoods, including Tel Al-Sultan, Al-Izba, Zurub, and Shaboura. Residents reported heavy bombardments from both tanks and aircraft, creating significant damage and displacing many inhabitants. “Rafah is being bombed without any intervention from the world, the occupation [Israel] is acting freely here,” a Rafah resident stated via a chat app.
The Israeli military reported ongoing operations in Rafah, focusing on precise, intelligence-based activity to target militant factions. It claimed to have killed numerous Palestinian gunmen in close-range combat and to have seized weapons. The air force also conducted strikes across Gaza, targeting militant positions and infrastructure.
In the central Gaza Strip, two separate airstrikes on residential buildings in Al-Nuseirat and Al-Bureij refugee camps resulted in the fatalities. These camps are home to families descended from those who fled to Gaza during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation.
Palestinian health officials confirmed that casualties continue to rise, but rescue teams face difficulties accessing affected areas due to the ongoing conflict. A resident from Deir Al-Balah, now displaced, called for an immediate ceasefire: “Enough of our blood, I say it to Israel, America, and our leaders too. The war must stop.”
The Israeli military’s statement did not address the specific incidents leading to the 17 deaths but emphasized that its operations targeted militant factions within central Gaza. The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed to have engaged Israeli forces using anti-tank rockets, mortar bombs, and pre-planted explosives.
This intensified conflict follows a Hamas-led militant incursion into southern Israel on October 7, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. In response, Israel has launched a comprehensive ground and air campaign in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties and widespread devastation. Gaza health authorities report more than 37,400 deaths and substantial displacement due to the ongoing conflict.
Attempts to negotiate a ceasefire have repeatedly failed. Hamas demands a permanent cessation of hostilities and full Israeli withdrawal, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on continuing military operations until Hamas is eradicated and hostages are released. The situation remains dire, with both sides showing no signs of backing down.
