Rafah, Gaza – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted to a “tragic mistake” after an Israeli airstrike killed at least 45 Palestinians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Speaking before parliament on Monday, Netanyahu confirmed that Israel is investigating the incident that took place on Sunday night. The strike has drawn widespread condemnation, including from some of Israel’s closest allies like the United States, over the increasing civilian casualties in Gaza. Gaza health officials reported that the victims included displaced people living in tents who were burnt alive.
Despite facing international scrutiny and legal challenges, Israel maintains that it adheres to international law. Last week, a top international court demanded Israel halt its offensive in Rafah.
Sunday night’s strike, one of the deadliest in the current conflict, pushed the Palestinian death toll above 36,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Mohammed Abuassa, a rescuer in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, described the horrific scene, saying, “We pulled out children who were in pieces. The fire in the camp was unreal.”
The Health Ministry reported that about half of those killed were women, children, and older adults. On Monday, barefoot children searched through the charred debris for survivors.
France, a close ally of Israel, expressed outrage over the violence. “These operations must stop. There are no safe areas in Rafah for Palestinian civilians. I call for full respect for international law and an immediate ceasefire,” French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X.
Rafah, located on the border with Egypt, had housed over a million displaced people from other parts of Gaza. Since Israel launched a limited incursion earlier this month, hundreds of thousands have fled once again, crowding into makeshift tent camps in and around the city.
