The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza, that resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians. Guterres emphasised the urgent need to stop the violence, stating that there is no safe place in Gaza and expressing his horror at the tragic loss of innocent lives.
His comments came following an Israeli military operation targeting a Hamas compound, which also led to significant civilian casualties.
According to reports from Gaza's government media office, at least 45 people were killed, and around 200 were injured in the strike on a camp for displaced individuals.
In response, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that the operation had successfully eliminated two senior Hamas officials, Yassin Rabia and Khaled Najjar, who were involved in orchestrating attacks against Israel.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, also condemned the attack, highlighting that such strikes show there is no safe haven in Gaza.
Turk called for an immediate ceasefire and emphasised the need for accountability and changes in policy to prevent further civilian casualties. He stressed that the methods and means of warfare used by Israel have already resulted in numerous civilian deaths and need to be reviewed.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, referred to the strike as a "tragic mistake" and announced an investigation into the incident. In his address at the Israeli Knesset, Netanyahu expressed regret over the loss of innocent lives, despite efforts to avoid harming non-combatants.
The IDF provided details on the targeted Hamas officials, stating that Yassin Rabia was responsible for managing terrorist activities and transferring funds for attacks, while Khaled Najjar directed shootings and other terrorist operations. The IDF maintained that the strike was conducted on legitimate targets based on precise intelligence.
The airstrike came after Hamas launched rockets at Tel Aviv, marking the first such attack on the city in several months. Hamas claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, describing it as retaliation for what they termed "massacres against civilians" by Israel.
The IDF confirmed that several projectiles had been intercepted and noted that the strike was carried out with the aim of neutralising significant Hamas threats.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with repeated cycles of violence causing immense suffering for civilians. The international community continues to call for de-escalation and a return to negotiations to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict.
Both sides are urged to prioritise the protection of civilians and adhere to international humanitarian law to prevent further tragedies.
Follow us
