Multiple casualties, including children, have been reported as Israeli airstrikes, and shelling heavily targeted several areas in Rafah overnight Monday, as confirmed by the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
Concerns have escalated internationally over Israel’s proposed ground offensive in the southern Gaza city.
According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, over 100 individuals lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes, which struck various parts of the city, accompanied by helicopter gunfire along border areas.
The Gaza health ministry, controlled by Hamas, stated that 94 people were killed.
CNN cannot independently verify either figure.
This discrepancy may stem from the health ministry’s practice of updating death tolls only after bodies have been identified.
Both organizations cautioned that the casualty count is likely to increase, with the Palestine Red Crescent Society noting that individuals are still trapped under debris.
According to the Rafah municipality, the bombardments that were reported on Monday destroyed approximately twelve residences and at least two mosques.
IDF Launches Covert Op Before Rafah Airstrikes
The IDF spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, informed reporters that the covert operation to secure the hostages commenced at 1:49 am local time, followed by airstrikes on Rafah a minute later.
In response, Hamas condemned what they described as a horrific massacre by Israel against civilians in Rafah.
They characterized the Israeli military’s attack as part of a genocidal war and forced displacement attempts against the Palestinian people.
Currently, more than 1.3 million people, representing over half of Gaza’s population, seek refuge in Rafah, with many displaced individuals from other parts of the besieged enclave residing in a vast tent city.
The situation in Rafah is dire, with severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and shelter, leading the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) spokesperson to describe the city as a “pressure cooker of despair.”
Rafah has been subjected to ongoing aerial attacks by Israeli forces for several months.
However, the intensity of Monday’s bombardment has intensified concerns that an anticipated Israeli ground offensive could lead to a catastrophic loss of life, particularly among those trapped in the densely populated city with limited avenues for escape.
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, the death toll in the enclave has surpassed 28,100 individuals since October 7th.
