Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinian civilians are seeking shelter in Rafah after recent Israeli attacks on the city. According to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, at least 27 Palestinians have lost their lives due to these attacks. The attacks, which occurred during the night, resulted in the deaths of 20 people in residential buildings. Additionally, a family of seven in Rafah was reportedly killed in shelling on Monday morning. However, the accuracy of this information could not be independently verified.
Israel has announced plans to launch a military offensive in Rafah in order to target the remaining strongholds of Hamas. Despite this, Israel’s allies have expressed concerns and have urged caution as they seek shelter from the violence. However, it is unclear whether the planned military operation will proceed as a Hamas delegation has traveled to Egypt for negotiations regarding the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The outcome of these negotiations could potentially lead to a de-escalation of tensions and the avoidance of further violence in Rafah.