The conflict between Israel and the besieged Gaza Strip has entered its fifth month, with the southern city of Rafah bearing the brunt of the onslaught, home to over half of Gaza's population.
Israeli troops and warplanes conducted airstrikes and shelled areas in Rafah on Thursday, intensifying attacks that have ravaged the city. The health ministry reported a staggering death toll of at least 27,840 since the war's inception in October, with 130 fatalities in the past 24 hours alone. Additionally, 67,317 people have been wounded since October 7.
In Rafah, mourners gathered to grieve over the victims of an Israeli airstrike in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, where witnesses described the heartbreaking scene of a man carrying the body of a young child in a black bag following a rocket attack.
Overnight, Israeli warplanes struck three homes in Rafah, claiming the lives of 24 Palestinians. Despite being designated a "safe zone" by Israeli authorities, Rafah faces an imminent threat as Israel vows to escalate its military offensive in the city.
Aid agencies have sounded the alarm, warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe if Israel proceeds with its plans to enter one of the last remaining areas of Gaza untouched by its ground offensive.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concerns about the potential consequences of Israeli incursions into Rafah, emphasizing the urgent need to avert further humanitarian devastation.
Meanwhile, in Gaza's city of Khan Younis, Nasser Hospital is overwhelmed with a large influx of injured individuals, with the health ministry cautioning that 10,000 displaced Palestinians face death and starvation amidst Israeli attacks on the hospital. Staff and patients at Amal Hospital are also in peril due to ongoing hostilities.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has rejected proposals put forth by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas. Hamas representatives have traveled to Cairo for talks with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, focusing on a proposed ceasefire deal lasting approximately six weeks.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's regional tour has yet to yield significant pressure on Israel to halt its offensive, as Washington's stance remains unchanged.
