"All Eyes on Rafah": Global Outrage as 45 Civilians Killed in Israeli Strike

 

The world is reeling in shock and outrage after an Israeli airstrike killed at least 45 people, including children, at a refugee camp in Gaza's Rafah. The attack, which came just days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt its operation in Rafah, has deepened global isolation facing Israel over the war in Gaza.

The phrase "All Eyes on Rafah" has become a rallying cry on social media, with global support pouring in for the Palestinians affected by the Israeli strikes. Celebrities and human rights groups have joined the chorus, condemning the attack and calling for an end to the violence.

Rafah, once seen as the last refuge in Gaza, has been under intense bombardment by Israeli forces, despite the UN court's order to halt the operation. The town was a major entry point for humanitarian aid before Israel seized control of the crossing earlier this month. The fighting has caused over 1 million Palestinians to flee, most of whom had already been displaced in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Palestinians are vulnerable to Israeli attacks wherever they go, and have been moving up and down the Gaza Strip in the past few months. When Israeli forces told those in the north to evacuate, hundreds of thousands had fled south to Rafah, only to face further violence.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza has reported that Israeli shelling in and around health facilities in Rafah has left just one still operational. Humanitarian groups warn of a spiraling crisis in Gaza after the fighting in Rafah cut off the main aid routes into the territory.

Israel's long-threatened Rafah incursion has stirred renewed outrage and prompted an outcry from global leaders. The United Nations has long warned of looming famine, especially in the north of besieged Gaza. The UN Chief has expressed growing concern about malnutrition in the south since the Rafah incursion.

The Israeli army claimed that their aircraft had targeted a Hamas compound in Rafah, resulting in the deaths of two senior Hamas operatives. However, they acknowledged reports of civilian casualties due to the strike and the subsequent fire, stating that the incident was under investigation.

The US faces growing pressure to take a firmer stance after the deadly strike in Rafah. Questions are mounting over how long President Joe Biden can tolerate an Israeli assault on Rafah when the International Court of Justice has ordered it to stop.

The war in Gaza began after Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,170 people, mostly civilians. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 36,096 people in Gaza.

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the international community must take a stand against violence and support efforts to achieve a lasting peace. The people of Rafah and Gaza deserve protection and justice, and the world must act now to prevent further bloodshed.