Israeli Tanks Continue Forward Movement in Rafah Despite Global Appeals for Ceasefire
Recent reports confirm the continued presence of Israeli military tanks in the heart of Rafah, marking a significant development amidst ongoing international calls for a cessation of hostilities. Eyewitnesses revealed the presence of IDF tanks in central Rafah, a notable occurrence since the IDF's initial entry into the southern Gaza city. The situation in Rafah remains tense as military movements persist despite widespread appeals for a halt to the offensive.
Israeli military tanks were spotted in central Rafah on Tuesday, marking their first appearance since the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered Gaza's southernmost city earlier this month, as reported by two eyewitnesses to CNN.
This development occurred just two days after an Israeli airstrike on a camp in Rafah resulted in the deaths of numerous displaced Palestinians. This comes at a time when there is increasing pressure from the international community to halt the ongoing assault on the city.
Alaa Abu Ibrahim, who lives in Rafah, mentioned to CNN that Israeli tanks were spotted at the Al Awda roundabout in the city center.
Another resident, Salma AlKadoomi, reported seeing armored vehicles near the Abu Hashem building in the downtown area.
AlKadoomi informed CNN that the vehicles moved forward during the night.
During a media briefing on Tuesday, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari addressed reports of tanks advancing in the city. He stated that the military is conducting operations in Rafah in a targeted and precise manner.
Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza Strip, gathered at a morgue to mourn the loss of their loved ones who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Monday, May 27, 2024. According to Palestinian health workers, the airstrike on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least 35 people who were seeking shelter in a tent camp for displaced individuals. Israel's army confirmed the strike, stating that it targeted a Hamas installation and resulted in the deaths of two senior Hamas militants. 
Jehad Alshrafi/AP
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Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu described the strike that killed 45 people at a camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah as a 'tragic error.' According to him, there are still Hamas battalions in Rafah and recently rockets were fired from there towards Tel Aviv, causing millions of people to seek safety in bomb shelters.
Israel initiated a limited ground operation in Rafah on May 7 by crossing the Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometer buffer zone on the Egypt-Gaza border. They took control of the Palestinian side of the border with Egypt.
Hagari mentioned that tunnels have been discovered along the Philadelphi Corridor in recent days, leading towards Sinai. The IDF is currently destroying these tunnels and coordinating with the Egyptian government on this matter.
Egypt is strongly against the operation happening at its border. A tragic incident occurred on Monday, where an Egyptian security personnel lost their life in a shooting involving Egyptian and Israeli soldiers. According to Egypt’s state-affiliated Al-Qahera News outlet, "Palestinian resistance" fighters were also part of the incident.
Before the operation, approximately 1.3 million Palestinians were seeking shelter in Rafah. However, since the start of the operation, around 1 million Palestinians have fled the city, as reported by the UN.
The Biden administration is cautioning against a big ground invasion in Rafah unless the safety of civilians is ensured. President Joe Biden stated in a recent interview with CNN that he would stop sending American weapons to Israel if they were to carry out a significant invasion in Rafah.
On the other hand, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned last week that he noticed some changes to Israel's plan. He stated that the plan is now more focused and restricted in scope.
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Graphic video shows scale of devastation in Rafah
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The Israeli strike on the camp in Rafah on Sunday resulted in the deaths of 45 people and left 200 others injured, causing outrage worldwide. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged on Monday that the civilian casualties were a tragic mistake.
Israel launched an investigation into the event, and on Tuesday the IDF claimed the deadly fire at the camp could not have been caused solely by the weaponry used by Israel.
A Palestinian woman walks past a house destroyed by an Israeli strike, in Rafah, on Wednesday.
Hatem Khaled/Reuters
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UN’s top court orders Israel to ‘immediately’ halt its operation in Rafah
"Our munitions alone could not have caused a fire this large," Hagari explained. The investigation aims to uncover the source of such a massive fire. All possibilities are being explored, including the chance that weapons stored in a nearby compound may have been ignited unintentionally during the strike.
Hagari presented aerial footage of the strike on a building where senior Hamas leaders were reportedly meeting. He mentioned that the military deployed two munitions with 17-kilogram (37 lbs) warheads. These were the smallest munitions available for our jets to use.
Hagari stated that the cause of the fire is still being investigated, and it is too early to determine. He mentioned that even when the cause is found, it will not lessen the tragedy of the situation.
Despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to stop its military operation in Rafah immediately, Israel has continued to advance deeper into the area. The UN and some of Israel's European allies are urging Israel to follow the ICJ's order, emphasizing that it is a legally binding decision.
CNN’s Nadeen Ebrahim and Mostafa Salem contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The ongoing conflict in Rafah highlights the tragic consequences of war and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. The Israeli military's incursion into the city, coupled with the deadly airstrike on a camp for displaced Palestinians, has resulted in immense suffering and loss of life. The international community must condemn such indiscriminate attacks and demand accountability for the civilian casualties.
It is alarming that Israel continues to defy the International Court of Justice's order to halt its military operation in Rafah. This blatant disregard for international law undermines efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the conflict. The Biden administration must take a more assertive stance by suspending arms sales to Israel until it complies with the ICJ's order and demonstrates a commitment to protecting civilians. The United Nations and Israel's European allies should also intensify their diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed.
