Israeli tanks advanced into the center of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, three weeks into a ground offensive in the southern Gaza city, which has drawn global condemnation due to its civilian toll. Witnesses reported tanks and armored vehicles near Al-Awda mosque, a central landmark in Rafah. The Israeli military confirmed operations in the area but did not comment on the reported advances.
Overnight, Israeli forces launched airstrikes and tank fire in Rafah, killing 16 people in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, according to the Palestinian Civil Defence and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Residents described widespread shelling and families fleeing their homes under intense fire.
The offensive continued despite international outcry over a recent attack that killed at least 45 Palestinians in a tent camp in Rafah, many of them children, women, and the elderly. Global leaders condemned the attack in the “humanitarian zone” and urged adherence to an International Court of Justice (ICJ) order to halt the assault.
Since taking control of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt three weeks ago, Israeli tanks had primarily operated on the outskirts of the city. However, recent days saw advances into western neighborhoods and positions taken on the Zurub hilltop. Witnesses reported gun battles between Israeli troops and Hamas-led fighters in these areas.
Reports indicated the use of remote-operated armored vehicles by the Israeli military, with no immediate sign of personnel. An Israeli military spokesperson did not comment on these specifics. The military stated it targeted the Philadelphi Corridor separating Gaza from Egypt, citing intelligence on terror targets, and was involved in close-quarter combat, locating tunnel shafts, and dismantling militant infrastructure.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported that around one million people have fled the offensive in Rafah since early May, many displaced multiple times. Video footage showed families moving through devastated streets with their belongings.
Moayad Fusaifas, a resident, described the ongoing attacks: “There are a lot of attacks, smoke and dust. The [Israelis] are hitting everywhere. We’re tired.”
Israel asserts its goal is to eliminate Hamas fighters in Rafah and rescue hostages held in the area. The ICJ ruling last week ordered Israel to halt operations in Rafah that could lead to conditions threatening the survival of the Palestinian population there.
In the northern Gaza Strip’s Jabalia, Israeli forces engaged in intense fighting with Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters. In some residential districts, civil emergency teams have been recovering bodies from the ruins.
Gaza’s health ministry reports over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive. Israel’s air and ground war began after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken.
In a diplomatic move, Spain, Ireland, and Norway are set to officially recognize a Palestinian state, hoping to accelerate efforts towards a ceasefire and resolution of the ongoing conflict, which has devastated much of Gaza.
