Israeli forces killed at least 60 Palestinians during air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip on Thursday. The clashes included intense combat with Hamas fighters in the southern city of Rafah. Israeli tanks advanced southeast in Rafah, moved toward the western district of Yibna, and continued operations in three eastern suburbs, according to local residents.
Residents reported heavy explosions and smoke, describing the night as extremely challenging. The Israeli military operations, targeting both northern and southern Gaza, have forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes, severely disrupting aid access and increasing famine risks.
The Israeli assault on Gaza began after a Hamas-led attack on October 7 killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and led to over 250 hostages being taken. Since then, Gaza health officials report more than 35,000 Palestinian deaths, with many more likely trapped under rubble.
Israel justified the attack on Rafah as necessary to eliminate Hamas fighters and rescue hostages. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Israeli chief military spokesperson, emphasized efforts to protect civilians by encouraging temporary evacuations to humanitarian areas. Hagari stated that Israeli forces had killed around 180 militants, exposed terror tunnels, and destroyed significant infrastructure in Rafah.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) estimated over 800,000 people had fled Rafah by Monday, despite calls for restraint. The Norwegian Refugee Council reported that many civilians remained trapped, with Rafah’s east being a war zone, the middle a ghost town, and the west overcrowded and in poor conditions.
Simultaneously, Israeli forces intensified ground offensives in Jabalia and nearby Beit Hanoun to prevent Hamas from regrouping, following major operations in these areas months earlier.
