Mass Casualties in Israeli Airstrike on Palestinian Refugee Camp in Rafah
Witnesses captured the chaos as the Palestinian refugee camp was engulfed in flames during a devastating nighttime airstrike. Rescuers worked tirelessly to recover bodies, including those of innocent children, from the aftermath of the attack.
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Dozens of individuals lost their lives on Sunday due to a fire that erupted following an Israeli airstrike on a camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza.
Footage captured by CNN revealed a camp engulfed in flames, as many individuals, including men, women, and children, desperately sought shelter during the nighttime attack. Rescuers were seen retrieving burnt bodies, including those of children, from the debris.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry and Palestinian medics, at least 45 individuals lost their lives and over 200 others sustained injuries in the airstrike. The majority of the victims were women and children. The ministry reported that the hospitals in Rafah were overwhelmed and unable to accommodate the high number of casualties.
A Palestinian man filming the fire reported that there are still civilians trapped inside the camp that was attacked without warning. He mentioned that the area was supposed to be a safe zone.
The attack occurred after Hamas launched rockets at Tel Aviv on Sunday for the first time in months. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that eight rockets were fired from the Rafah area, with some being intercepted. IDF also stated that they destroyed the rocket launchers used by Hamas shortly after the attacks.
Palestinians mourn over the bodies of relatives killed in an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, the Gaza Strip on Monday.
Palestinians mourn over the bodies of relatives killed in an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, the Gaza Strip on Monday.
The Israeli military announced on Monday that they targeted a compound in Rafah where important Hamas terrorists were present. They also acknowledged reports of civilian casualties resulting from the attack.
Avichay Adraee, head of the Arab media division of the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, mentioned that there have been reports of injuries to uninvolved individuals. He stated that the incident is currently being looked into to understand the circumstances.
The IDF’s Chief Prosecutor, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, shared that the specifics of the Rafah strike are currently being examined. She emphasized that the IDF is dedicated to completing a thorough investigation.
Israel said it killed two Hamas officials in the attack – West Bank Chief of Staff Yassin Rabia and senior Hamas member Khaled Nagar. CNN cannot verify these claims.
An Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza leaves dozens dead after hitting a camp housing displaced people. The IDF says it targeted a Hamas compound. CNN's Nada Bashir joins Max Foster with the details.
An Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza resulted in the deaths of dozens of people in a camp where displaced individuals were residing. The IDF has stated that their target was a Hamas compound. CNN's Nada Bashir provides more information on this tragic event as she speaks with Max Foster.
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An Israeli airstrike on a camp in Rafah has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people. This is one of the deadliest strikes carried out by the Israeli military in Gaza's southernmost city since the start of the operation on May 7th. The attack occurred shortly after the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations' top court, ordered Israel to cease its military operations in Rafah and any other actions that could endanger the lives of Palestinians in the city.
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, over 36,000 people have lost their lives since Israel began its military operation in the region. The operation was in response to an attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of 250 hostages as reported by Israeli authorities.
Videos posted on social media displayed the chaotic aftermath of the events in Gaza.
The disturbing videos from the fire show the tragic scenes of a man's lifeless body being dragged out of the flames and a man holding up the headless body of a toddler. Women cried out in sorrow while children looked on. Another man, with a bloodied face, stood in shock holding a baby in blood-stained clothes. One of the bodies found was badly burned.
The camp was left in ruins by Monday morning, with small fires still burning. People searched through the wreckage for food and belongings as drones flew overhead. Among the few structures left standing was a sign that read: "Kuwait peace camp 1."
Palestinians gather around a burnt car after an Israeli airstrike on a camp in the southernmost city of Rafah, the Gaza Strip on Monday.
Palestinians gather around a burnt car after an Israeli airstrike on a camp in the southernmost city of Rafah, the Gaza Strip on Monday.
Mohammad Abu Al Subeh, a Palestinian man who was displaced and survived the strike, shared that he was in bed in the evening when he witnessed rockets being fired towards them.
Abu Al Subeh, who left his home in Nuseirat five months ago, described the event as shaking the earth like an earthquake. He had to escape through the window of his temporary shelter in the desert area where the camp is located. Abu Al Subeh shared, "I came here after receiving a leaflet from Israel instructing us to go to this humanitarian area. It's a place for civilians only."
Another displaced Palestinian, Abu Nidal Al Attar, also witnessed the attack. He recalled, "We were sitting normally when we suddenly saw strikes and fire. We went to see and found burned people being pulled out."
Hamas called the attack “a horrific war crime” and “terrible massacre.”
International outrage
International condemnation was quick, with various UN agencies, aid groups, and governments urging Israel to abide by the ICJ decision and cease its operation in Rafah.
EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed disappointment on Monday, stating that despite the ICJ's ruling, Israel launched attacks on Rafah while Hamas retaliated with rockets towards Israel. During a meeting with Arab leaders to address the situation in Gaza and the Middle East, Borrell noted the concerning continuation of military actions by Israel, despite being urged to stop.
In this video still, fire rages following an Israeli strike on an area designated for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, on May 26. Reuters TV/Reuters
In this video still, fire rages following an Israeli strike on an area designated for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, on May 26. Reuters TV/Reuters
Reuters TV/Reuters
Related live-story
Israel has launched an attack on Rafah amidst increasing pressure regarding the war in Gaza. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) expressed horror at the deadly event, emphasizing that nowhere seems to be safe. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) described Gaza as a living hell, specifically mentioning the Rafah attack.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his outrage and urged for an immediate ceasefire.
Critics have challenged Israel's assertions. Egypt, already concerned about the escalating conflict near its border with Gaza, criticized Israel's attack on Rafah. Egypt called on Israel to follow the ICJ ruling to stop military actions in Rafah and fulfill its duties as an occupying force.
Egypt, acting as a mediator in the conflict, will be hosting a new round of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on Tuesday. Qatar, another important mediator, expressed concerns that Israel's recent strike could disrupt the ongoing negotiations. They described the attack as a significant breach of international law.
Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike on a camp housing internally displaced people in Rafah, Gaza on Monday.
Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike on a camp housing internally displaced people in Rafah, Gaza on Monday.
Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images
Before Israel started its operations in Rafah, over a million Palestinians had sought shelter there after fleeing from other parts of Gaza during Israel's military campaign in the territory.
Although Israel had instructed civilians to evacuate certain areas of Rafah, many chose to stay behind, taking refuge in the designated "safe zones."
Over 800,000 individuals have left Rafah since May 6, as reported by the UN.
Israel has declared its intention to continue the operation in Rafah, despite global criticism and a caution from the US. Following the ICJ decision last week, Israel stated that it will not engage in military actions in Rafah that could harm the Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
CNN’s Zeena Saifi, Hamdi Alkhshali, Mostafa Salem, James Frater and Lauren Kent contributed to this report. Nadeen Ebrahim wrote from Abu Dhabi.
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