Israeli strike hits Rafah area after Hamas barrage

A devastating Israeli airstrike hit the Rafah area in southern Gaza on Sunday, following a barrage of rockets fired by Hamas towards Tel Aviv. The strike targeted a Hamas compound, resulting in a massive explosion and intense fires. The attack has left dozens of people killed or injured, with women and children among the casualties.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the airstrike was a precise attack on a legitimate target, and they are reviewing the incident. However, Hamas claims that the strike hit a camp for displaced Palestinians in a designated humanitarian safe zone, causing significant harm to civilians.

The attack came in response to Hamas firing eight rockets towards Tel Aviv, the first long-range attacks on the city since January. The rockets were intercepted by air defense systems or fell in fields, causing no reported injuries.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 36,000 Palestinians killed since the conflict began. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with over 800,000 Palestinians fleeing Rafah since the Israeli offensive began three weeks ago.

Despite the International Court of Justice ruling on Friday that Israel must halt its military offensive in Rafah, the attacks continue. The rocket barrage highlights the ongoing threat posed by Hamas, and the challenges the Israeli army faces in its efforts to oust the militant group from its stronghold in southern Gaza.

Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume next week, but the latest attacks have raised concerns about the prospects for peace. The international community has called for an immediate end to the violence and a return to negotiations.

As the situation continues to escalate, the people of Gaza and Israel remain caught in the middle, bearing the brunt of the violence and displacement. The world watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.