Israeli Forces Intensify Bombardment in Gaza Amid Fierce Fighting

 

In a devastating escalation, Israeli forces have pounded Rafah in southern Gaza and other areas across the enclave. The intense bombardment has resulted in the deaths of at least 38 Palestinians, including civilians, as troops engage in close-quarter combat with Hamas militants. Tanks are pushing into the city, aiming to complete their capture of Rafah, which borders Egypt and has been under assault since early May. The situation is dire, with more than a million displaced people seeking shelter in the city, only to be forced to flee again due to the attacks.

Palestinian health officials report that at least 18 Palestinians were killed in Mawasi, western Rafah, after a tank shelling hit a tent housing displaced families. The Israeli military claims its actions are “precise, intelligence-based,” targeting tunnels used by militants and a university allegedly serving as a Hamas headquarters. Meanwhile, the pace of the Israeli raid has accelerated, with non-stop sounds of explosions and gunfire in western Rafah.

As the conflict continues, Israel’s advance focuses on the last two areas yet to be stormed: Rafah in Gaza’s southern edge and the region surrounding Deir al-Balah in the center. The toll of violence remains devastating, with both Palestinian and Israeli lives lost in this tragic conflict.