Israeli airstrike on Rafah drew international condemnation
An Israeli air force airstrike on Rafah caused a fire in a refugee tent camp, killing 45 people. World leaders demand a World Court to stop Israeli strikes.
Health officials in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip said more than half of those killed in the camp were women, children and the elderly. They also warned that the death toll could rise as many suffered severe burns.
The Israeli military said it was investigating claims that the fire was caused by its strike on Hamas command centres. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strike had not targeted civilians. "We have already evacuated about one million civilians in Rafah, and despite our best efforts not to harm non-combatants, something unfortunately went wrong," he told parliament, where his speech was interrupted by shouts of opposition.
The airstrike came after intercepting eight rockets fired towards Israel from the Rafah neighbourhood in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli military also said the strike killed the head of Hamas headquarters in the West Bank and another official involved in attacks on Israelis.
The US called on Israel to step up protection of civilians but stopped short of calling for an end to the strikes on Rafah. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed outrage at Israel's recent actions, saying, "These operations must stop. There are no safe zones for Palestinian civilians in Rafah." In Paris, thousands of demonstrators turned out to protest against Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasised the need to respect the rulings of the International Court of Justice. The Government of Canada expressed horror at the airstrike in Rafah and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates condemned Israel's actions, while Qatar said the strike on Rafah could hamper mediation efforts for a ceasefire and hostage exchange.
The Israeli operation has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry. Israel launched the offensive after Hamas militants attacked communities in southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
Recall, the UN International Court of Justice obliged Israel to stop the operation in Rafah.
From information sent by an anonymous source
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