Israeli airstrike kills 40 in Rafah Refugee Camp

Gaza, May 27: At least 40 people were reported killed and several others injured in an Israeli airstrike on tents in northwestern Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian media sources.

The attack targeted a newly established camp that housed thousands of displaced individuals near the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warehouses, as per the Palestinian official news agency WAFA.

Eyewitnesses described the bombing as "severe and unprecedented," igniting tents made of plastic and tin along with civilian vehicles in the densely populated area of displaced families.

Videos shared on social media depicted intense flames engulfing the area, including tents still occupied by many, including women and children. Retrieving the bodies has been hindered by challenging terrain, according to local sources.

Palestinian security sources indicated that the area, crowded with Gazans seeking refuge, had been designated a "safe area" by the Israeli military before the strike.

In response to the incident, Hamas condemned the bombing, accusing Israel of defying the International Court of Justice's decision demanding an end to aggression against Rafah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the airstrike targeted a Hamas compound where significant members were operating, emphasizing that it was conducted in accordance with international law based on intelligence indicating Hamas' use of the area.

The attack followed hours after the Hamas armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, launched a large rocket barrage from Rafah towards Tel Aviv, marking the first such attack in months.

The Israeli military's takeover of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing on May 7, situated on the Gaza-Egypt border, resulted in a halt in aid entering Gaza. Israel views Rafah as a stronghold for Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007.