CAIRO: Israeli tanks advanced further into Rafah, reaching residential areas of the southern Gazan border city where over a million people had sought refuge. Israeli forces intensified their attacks in northern Gaza, leading to some of the fiercest clashes in months. Despite warnings from international allies and aid groups, Israel continued its ground incursion into Rafah, aiming to “root out” four remaining Hamas fighters.
The White House announced that US national security adviser Jake Sullivan would visit Israel and Saudi Arabia this weekend. Although there are reports that Israel agreed not to expand its Rafah operation significantly before Sullivan’s visit, an unidentified US official confirmed that Israel had promised to consult Washington before any major moves in Rafah.
Israeli spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari reported that Israeli forces had killed around 100 fighters, discovered 10 tunnel routes, and found numerous weapons in Rafah since the operation began a week ago. Clashes have also intensified across the Gaza Strip, particularly in the north, where Israeli forces have returned to areas previously claimed to be cleared of Hamas fighters. Residents and militant sources confirmed that the fighting on Tuesday was the most intense in months.
“We are operating decisively in all three parts of the Gaza Strip. Forces from air, land, and sea are simultaneously targeting terrorist locations,” Hagari stated, referring to the northern, central, and southern parts of the enclave.
The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 35,000, according to Gaza health officials, with 82 Palestinians reported killed in the last 24 hours, marking the highest daily toll in weeks.
In northern Gaza’s Jabalia, a densely populated refugee camp, fierce gun battles continued late into Tuesday. Many residents reported being trapped in their homes.
In Gaza City, an Israeli air strike on a house in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood killed four people and wounded several others. In the Zeitoun neighborhood, Israeli bulldozers demolished houses to create a new road for tanks. Hagari claimed Israeli forces had killed about 150 fighters and destroyed 80 structures used by Hamas.
‘Nowhere is safe now’
US President Joe Biden has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid a full-scale invasion of Rafah without civilian safeguards and has delayed a shipment of large bombs to Israel. The US State Department has moved a $1 billion weapons aid package for Israel into the congressional review process.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Israel’s escalation in Rafah and Hamas’ rocket attacks, urging respect for civilian lives and calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
In Rafah, residents witnessed smoke and explosions as Israel bombarded residential areas. Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, claimed to have destroyed an Israeli troop carrier, causing casualties among its crew.
Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate parts of Rafah, with UNRWA estimating that around 450,000 people have fled the city since May 6. Many have sought refuge in areas like Al-Mawasi, which lack proper facilities for displaced persons.
The UN has warned that much of Gaza’s population is on the brink of famine and desperately needs fuel, medicine, and other essentials. International powers have urged Israel to allow significant aid deliveries.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on Egypt to reopen the Rafah border crossing to facilitate humanitarian aid, prompting a sharp response from Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, who blamed Israel’s military actions for hindering aid delivery.
On Tuesday, trucks carrying commercial goods entered Rafah through a gate on the Gaza-Egypt border where Israeli tanks were positioned, marking the first such supply during Israel’s ground offensive in Rafah. Israel has not commented on this development.
The World Court is holding hearings on South Africa’s request for emergency measures against Israel over the Rafah incursion. Israel will present its case on Friday, denying accusations of genocide.
Israel’s operation in Gaza follows an October 7 attack by Hamas fighters, which resulted in around 1,200 Israeli casualties and over 250 hostages.