Global Condemnation Follows Israeli Attack on Rafah Tent Camp

An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza city of Rafah has left at least 35 people dead, with medics reporting a grim scene of devastation in a tent camp. The strike, which occurred late on Sunday night, set tents and shelters ablaze, leading to a rush of Palestinian families to hospitals to prepare their dead for burial.

The attack has drawn condemnation from European leaders, who are urging the implementation of a World Court ruling to halt Israel’s offensive. Despite the global outcry, Israeli tanks continued to bombard eastern and central areas of Rafah on Monday, resulting in the deaths of eight more people, according to local health officials.

Israel’s military defended the airstrike, stating that it was based on “precise intelligence” and had targeted Hamas officials responsible for attacks on Israelis. However, the top military prosecutor called the attack “very grave” and announced that an investigation was underway.

The attack took place in the Tel Al-Sultan neighborhood, where thousands of people were seeking shelter after Israeli forces began a ground offensive in the area over two weeks ago. Many of the victims were women and children, with health officials warning that the death toll could rise as some are in critical condition with severe burns.

The international community has called for an end to the violence, with Germany’s foreign minister and the EU foreign policy chief emphasizing the need to respect international humanitarian law. The situation in Rafah remains dire, with hospitals overwhelmed and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees describing Gaza as “hell on earth.”