In a deadly escalation of tensions, Israel has attained full control of the Rafah crossing, halting the aide into the region. Its tank took control of the crossing with warplanes hovering over. Israel based its action on the reports of misuse of humanitarian aide for terrorist purposes.
Amid the operation to control Rafah, Israel killed as many as 15 people in a day long period. Israel has also claimed that it pounded various Hamas targets with 20 terrorists being killed.
Notably Israel started to attack Rafah with its airstrikes on the city following a rocket attack on the Kerem Shalom border crossing.The attack, claimed by Hamas, resulted in the deaths of three Israeli soldiers and prompted swift retaliation from Israel.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organisation and displaced people were told to move from Eastern Rafah (targeted area) to al-Mawasi in west.
According to Palestinian health officials, at least 19 people were killed by Israeli fire on Sunday. The Israeli military reported that 10 projectiles were launched from Rafah towards the Kerem Shalom crossing, leading to its closure for aid trucks entering Gaza.
Israel was planning Rafah attack since months as it remains the only densely populated area of Gaza.
Hamas’ armed wing stated that it targeted an Israeli army base near the crossing, emphasizing that the commercial crossing was not the intended target. However, Israeli airstrikes hit a house in Rafah shortly after the Hamas attack, resulting in three deaths and several injuries, according to Palestinian medics.
The Israeli military confirmed the retaliatory strike, stating that it targeted the launcher used by Hamas and a nearby military structure. It accused Hamas of exploiting humanitarian facilities and using the civilian population as human shields.