Airstrike Close to Rafah: Palestinians Allegedly Slaughtered in Displaced Persons Camp by Israel
Reports coming from Palestine claim that an Israeli strike hit the Barkasat camp for displaced persons, managed by the UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), located northwest of Rafah. The Hamas controlled Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip stated that at least 35 individuals were killed and many more were injured. The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed they transported "a significant number" of those who perished or were wounded due to the attack.
Israel's military asserted the airstrike targeted a Hamas complex in Rafah, wherein "significant Hamas terrorists" were operating. The operation utilized "precision munitions" and was conducted against "legitimate targets," with "detailed intelligence information" revealing the site's association with Hamas.
The Israeli army claimed two senior Hamas representatives, involved in planning attacks in the occupied West Bank, were killed in the strike. They are also investigating reports of additional civilian injuries and damage caused by the attack and subsequent fire.
Hamas called for demonstrations against the "Israeli massacre." In a defiant statement, the Islamist Palestinian organization urged "the masses of our people in the West Bank, in Jerusalem, in the occupied territories and abroad" to "rise up and march with anger."
The Israeli airstrike occurred after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip. As per Israeli news, at least eight rockets were fired at Israel from Rafah on Sunday. Some missiles destined for the interiors of the country were intercepted, while alarms were sounded for residents in Tel Aviv and central Israel, urging them to seek refuge. This marked the first missile alert within this region for several months. At least three explosions were reported in the city's center.
The armed wing of Hamas confirmed they launched "a large barrage of rockets" toward Tel Aviv. This was retaliation for the "Zionist massacres against civilians," in the words of the Essedin al-Qassam Brigades.
Hamas staged an unparalleled assault against Israel on October 7, with over 1170 casualties as per Israeli figures, along with 252 individuals taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. In response, Israel initiated widespread military operations within the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, approximately 35,900 people have been killed thus far, though this figure is not verifiable. The situation regarding supplies in Palestinian territories is dire.
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Source: www.stern.de
