Major media outlets are not reporting this, Isreal may have already begin its invasion of Rafah
In the wake of months of warnings from Israel about a potential incursion into Rafah, cautionary advice from the United States to formulate a plan before proceeding may have temporarily mitigated tensions. Nevertheless, on Sunday, May 5th, 2024 the invasion seems to have began.
By: Sulayman Touray
Three Israeli soldiers fell victim to a rocket attack claimed by Hamas's armed wing near the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. In retaliation, Israel reportedly caused the deaths of 19 individuals in Rafah on the same day.
Hamas's armed wing asserted responsibility for an attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, which Israel stated resulted in the deaths of three of its soldiers.
According to Israel's military, ten projectiles were launched from Rafah towards the vicinity of the crossing, prompting its closure to aid trucks destined for the coastal enclave, although other crossings remained operational.
Hamas's armed wing declared launching rockets at an Israeli army base near the crossing but refrained from disclosing the origin of the launch. Hamas-affiliated media sources indicated that the commercial crossing was not the intended target.
With over a million Palestinians seeking refuge in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, the area remains a focal point of humanitarian concern.
Following the Hamas attack, an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in Rafah, resulting in three fatalities and multiple injuries, as reported by Palestinian medical personnel. The Israeli military confirmed the retaliatory strike, targeting the launcher of the Hamas projectiles and an adjacent military facility.
In response, the Israeli military accused Hamas of exploiting humanitarian facilities and endangering Gazan civilians, dismissing Hamas's denial of using civilians as human shields.
Tragically, just before midnight, another Israeli airstrike claimed the lives of nine Palestinians, including an infant, in a separate incident in Rafah. This strike elevated the death toll on Sunday, May 5th 2024 to at least 19 individuals.
Israel remains steadfast in its commitment to enter the southern Gaza city to dismantle Hamas forces. However, mounting pressure urges restraint, citing the potential disruption of fragile humanitarian efforts and the increased risk to civilian lives.
Sunday's assault on the crossing coincided with dwindling hopes for ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Cairo.
The conflict originated from a cross-border raid by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties and hostage-taking, according to Israeli accounts.
The toll of the ongoing violence is devastating, with Gaza's health ministry reporting over 34,600 Palestinian fatalities, including 29 in the past 24 hours, and more than 77,000 wounded in Israel's assault. As Israel begins evacuating residents from Rafah, the visible impact of missile strikes has led many to assert that the invasion of Rafah has officially begun.
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