Israeli Airstrikes in Rafah City Leave 16 Dead
Emergency first responders reported that sixteen people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip’s Rafah city. The toll of martyrs in Rafah reached 16, with seven people from one family and nine from another family among the casualties.
Details of the Attacks
Medics and first responders confirmed two strikes at different locations in Rafah, as reported by the news agency AFP.
Israeli Counter-Strike in Response to Hamas Attack
Hours after Hamas claimed responsibility for a rocket attack near Rafah, Israeli airstrikes ensued. Hamas fired rockets at an Israeli army base near the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, resulting in the death of three Israeli soldiers.
Israeli Military Response
The Israeli military retaliated by striking the launcher used by Hamas and a nearby military structure. The military disclosed that ten projectiles were launched from Rafah towards Kerem Shalom, prompting the closure of aid trucks entering Gaza through that area.
Accusations Against Hamas
The Israeli military condemned Hamas for launching rockets near the Rafah Crossing, accusing the group of using humanitarian facilities and civilians as shields.
Hamas Delegation Heads to Qatar for Truce Talks
Amid escalating tensions, a Hamas delegation for Gaza truce talks in Cairo is now bound for Qatar for further consultations. This move comes after disagreements with Israel over ending the ongoing conflict.
Israeli Stance on Ceasefire
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed reluctance to accede to demands for ending the war, equating surrender to defeat.
