CAIRO: After three weeks of operations near the southern Gaza city that led to international condemnation, witnesses reported on Tuesday that for the first time Israeli tanks had reached the center of Rafah’s.
Reuters’ sources said that near Al-Awda Mosque, a central Rafah landmark, the tanks were seen by witnesses. The Israeli military did not respond to reports of its forces moving further towards the city centre but confirmed that they were still operational in Rafah.
According to residents, overnight residents said it launched air strikes and tank fire at the town despite protests worldwide about an attack on Sunday which started fires in a tent camp and killed at least 45 Palestinians including 25 children more than half being women and old people.
Officials in Hamas-run enclave claimed Israel’s offensive has resulted in extra 26 deaths from gun fire in Rafah’s since then.
Residents told Reuters that this was one of the worst nights of bombing ever experienced by them as Israeli tanks moved towards western neighbourhoods and took positions on Zurub hilltop west of Rafah’s. On Tuesday, there were reports by witnesses indicating shootouts between Israel soldiers and militants from Hamas in Zurub area.
There were no immediate signs of personnel in or around them after remote-operated armored vehicles were brought into place according to eyewitnesses who added that someone thought they might be operated electronically. An Israeli military spokesperson was unavailable for comment immediately.
In a full-blown invasion force into Gaza last month through taking over control of its border crossing with Egypt, Israel probed Rafah’s edges using tanks before entering some parts located to its east; however it hadn’t yet entered the city completely as happened yesterday.
World leaders condemned last night’s strike as they called on United Nations International Court orders against Israeli assault campaigns elsewhere among Palestinian camps displaced families had sought solace and peace along those lines
According to one resident speaking via chat app with Reuters, “There are tank shells everywhere falling Tel Al-Sultan. Many families have fled their houses in western Rafah’s under fire throughout the night.”
On Tuesday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported that over one million people had been displaced from the Israeli offensive that started early this month.
Having abused a recent order by the top court of UN to stop its actions, Israel continues to attack arguing that it was given some leeway by the judgement.
The move comes amid growing international outrage with Israel following more than seven months of violence in Gaza, which has left it increasingly isolated.
These countries are presenting their decision as if they were using them to save lives during global efforts towards a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
More than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive since then according to Gaza’s health ministry. According to Israeli reports, Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israeli communities on October 7th killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
It claims it wants rescue hostages being held there while trying flush out Hamas fighters who are holed up within Rafah’s itself.
