In a tragic escalation of violence near the Gaza Strip, three Israeli soldiers fell victim to a rocket attack near Rafah.
The attack was claimed by Hamas’s armed wing, which also acknowledged responsibility for targeting the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza.
Israeli authorities confirmed the deaths of the soldiers and the closure of the crossing following the launch of ten projectiles from Rafah.
Despite Hamas denying the crossing as the intended target, Israeli airstrikes retaliated, striking a house in Rafah and resulting in further casualties.
The situation further deteriorated as Israeli forces vowed to enter southern Gaza to confront Hamas, raising concerns over the potential for increased civilian casualties and the disruption of humanitarian efforts. Amid these tensions, hopes for ceasefire talks in Cairo dimmed.
The cycle of violence has inflicted heavy tolls on both sides, with Palestinian health officials reporting at least 19 deaths from Israeli fire, including civilians.
Tragically, among the casualties were nine Palestinians, including a baby, killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Rafah.
These incidents compound the already staggering toll of over 34,600 Palestinian deaths and more than 77,000 injuries in Gaza since the conflict’s outbreak.
The exchange of fire underscores the complex and entrenched nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where civilian populations often find themselves caught in the crossfire.
Despite international calls for restraint and efforts to broker peace, the violence persists, with each side blaming the other for civilian casualties and humanitarian crises.
