Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war against Hamas despite international condemnation following an air strike that killed scores of Palestinians in Rafah on Sunday. The Hamas-run health ministry reported that at least 45 people were killed, with hundreds more suffering severe burns, fractures, and shrapnel wounds.
Addressing the Israeli parliament, PM Benjamin Netanyahu described the strike as a “tragic mishap” but emphasized the importance of achieving all military objectives. He underscored that Israel is taking “every precaution possible” to protect civilians and insisted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are making their “best efforts not to harm those uninvolved” in the conflict.
In response to the Rafah strike, the UN Security Council will convene an emergency meeting on Tuesday at Algeria’s request. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strike, highlighting that it had “killed scores of innocent civilians who were only seeking shelter from this deadly conflict” and calling for an end to the violence in Gaza.
PM Netanyahu’s speech was interrupted by occasional heckles from family members of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack, some of whom criticized him for not securing their release.
International organizations and officials have strongly condemned the strike. The European Union urged Israel to respect the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling to halt strikes on Rafah. The UN’s human rights chief, Volker Turk, criticized the attack, indicating no change in Israel’s methods that have led to numerous civilian deaths.
The IDF stated that the attack, aimed at killing two senior Hamas commanders, inadvertently resulted in civilian casualties. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that the air strike targeted tents for displaced people near a UN facility in Tal al-Sultan, approximately 2 kilometres northwest of Rafah’s centre. Videos from the scene showed significant destruction and intense fires.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported receiving at least 28 dead individuals, including women and children, and treating 180 wounded Palestinians with severe injuries. MSF refuted Israeli claims of precision, emphasizing the attack’s impact on a populated area deemed a “safe zone.”
The United States expressed sympathy for the victims but affirmed Israel’s right to self-defence. A White House national security spokesperson acknowledged the deaths of two senior Hamas terrorists in the strike but stressed the necessity of protecting civilians.
Israeli officials are investigating the incident to determine how a “precision strike” led to such widespread devastation. Major General Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi, the IDF’s advocate general, has promised a thorough investigation.
PM Benjamin Netanyahu remains resolute in his commitment to achieving “total victory” in Rafah, with no indication that the recent air strike will alter his strategy. Despite the tragic events, Israeli ground forces continue to advance cautiously toward Rafah.
The conflict, which began after a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 252 others to Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of the war.
