An Israeli airstrike bombed a house in southern Gaza early this morning, killing at least three Palestinians and injuring several others, according to local health officials. This is a developing story, and we are providing live updates as the situation unfolds in the city of Rafah, where rescue operations are currently underway.
Rescue Efforts Underway in Rafah
The strike targeted a residential building in Rafah, reducing it to rubble and sparking a frantic search for survivors. Eyewitnesses describe a scene of chaos as rescue teams and residents dig through concrete and debris by hand. The number of casualties is expected to rise as recovery efforts continue through the morning.
The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed its crews have transported the deceased and the wounded to the nearby Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital. Medical facilities in the region, already operating beyond capacity, are struggling to manage the new influx of patients from the attack.
Rafah: A Supposed Safe Zone Under Fire
This attack is particularly alarming as Rafah has become the last designated refuge for over 1.4 million Palestinians—more than half of Gaza’s entire population. These civilians were displaced by Israeli military operations in the northern and central parts of the enclave, many following IDF directives to move south for safety.
Today’s strike on a residential home in this densely populated area severely undermines any perception of a safe zone and heightens the fear and instability for a population living in makeshift tents and overcrowded shelters.
IDF Position and International Reaction
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has not yet issued a specific comment on this particular strike. However, Israel has consistently stated that its military operations are aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure and that the group embeds its operatives within civilian areas—a claim Hamas denies. The IDF has been signalling its intent to launch a major ground offensive in Rafah, which it has described as Hamas’s last major stronghold.
The incident is set to amplify the growing international calls for an immediate ceasefire. Global leaders and humanitarian organizations have issued stark warnings against a full-scale Israeli invasion of Rafah, predicting catastrophic consequences for the trapped civilians.
Impact on Ceasefire Negotiations
The bombing comes at a critical moment for diplomacy, as indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas show signs of faltering. Mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, these talks are severely complicated by attacks that result in civilian deaths, which tend to harden the positions of both sides and perpetuate the cycle of violence.
As the search for survivors continues in the debris of the bombed house in Rafah, the focus remains on the immediate human toll of the conflict. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as they become available.
