Strikes on Gaza’s southern edge sow fear in one of the last areas to which people can flee

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Israeli Airstrikes in Southern Gaza Heighten Fear in Remaining Safe Havens

Residents of the southern Gaza town of Rafah reported that Israeli forces carried out two airstrikes overnight, sparking fear in one of the few remaining places where civilians could seek refuge. This escalation comes as Israel broadens its offensive against Hamas, targeting areas already overwhelmed with displaced people.

According to United Nations officials, there are currently no safe zones left in Gaza. Intense fighting in and around the southern city of Khan Younis has forced tens of thousands of people to flee in a region where over 80% of the population has already been displaced. This ongoing conflict has also disrupted the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid, including food and water, to most parts of Gaza.

After two months of continuous warfare, the relentless Israeli offensive has raised concerns on a global scale. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a rarely exercised move, has alerted the Security Council about an imminent “humanitarian catastrophe” and is urging council members to call for a ceasefire.

While the United States has called on Israel to minimize civilian casualties and displacement, its strong support for Israel makes it likely to resist any U.N. initiative to halt the hostilities.

Israel’s stated objective is to neutralize Hamas’ military capabilities and remove it from power following the October 7th attack that ignited the conflict. Israeli troops have now entered Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, which they view as a critical hub for Hamas. This marks a shift from their earlier assessment, which identified Gaza City and Shifa Hospital as Hamas’ primary centers of gravity.

To protect civilians, Israel has ordered the evacuation of around two dozen southern neighborhoods, a more targeted approach compared to the broader evacuation in the north. However, the options for Palestinians seeking safety are diminishing rapidly. With northern and central Gaza now cut off from aid, many are heading south to Rafah and other areas along the border with Egypt, where homes are overcrowded, and makeshift shelters are overflowing.

Even in these areas, safety remains elusive as Israel continues to target what it claims are Hamas installations across the Gaza Strip. A recent airstrike in Rafah resulted in casualties and destruction, adding to the anxiety and fear that residents already live with.

As this conflict unfolds, the international community faces a worsening humanitarian crisis. Over 1.87 million people, more than 80% of Gaza’s population, have been displaced from their homes, often multiple times. The campaign by Israel has taken a heavy toll, with over 16,200 people killed, the majority of whom are women and children, and more than 42,000 wounded. Hamas and other militant groups have also inflicted casualties, further deepening the tragedy.

The situation in Khan Younis remains intense, with Israeli forces targeting militant positions, including tunnel networks. Amid heavy fighting, the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza has faced months of bombardment and encirclement by ground troops.

Israel accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields when militants operate in residential areas, attributing the high civilian death toll to this alleged practice. However, detailed accounts of individual strikes by Israel remain limited.

The conflict has also taken a toll on Israeli soldiers, with 88 reported casualties in the Gaza ground offensive. Israel claims to have killed around 5,000 militants, though the methodology for this count is unspecified.

As tens of thousands of people seek refuge in Rafah, Egypt has deployed troops and erected barriers along its border to prevent a mass influx of refugees, fearing it could jeopardize its peace treaty with Israel. Access to humanitarian aid farther north has been severely restricted due to ongoing fighting and Israeli road closures.

The World Food Program warns of a “catastrophic hunger crisis” looming over the civilian population. Gaza has been without electricity since the early days of the conflict, and critical infrastructure like hospitals and water treatment plants have been forced to shut down due to fuel shortages. While Israel allows some aid from Egypt, it has tightly controlled fuel imports, alleging Hamas diversion for military purposes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Israel will permit limited fuel deliveries to the southern Gaza Strip periodically to prevent the spread of disease, with the specifics to be determined by the war cabinet.

Reported by Chehayeb from Beirut.

For the full AP coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, visit here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israeli Airstrikes

More about Israeli Airstrikes

• AP Coverage of Israel-Hamas Conflict
• United Nations
• U.S. Department of State
• Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• World Food Program
• Gaza Crisis Information from UN OCHA