Israel Strikes Rafah Tent Camp, Dozens Killed

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Facts

  • Israeli strikes late on Sunday hit a tent camp designated for the displaced Palestinians in Rafah's western Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, killing dozens (with numbers in flux). The strikes ignited several tents, burning people to death. Israel said it used 'precise ammunition' based on 'precise intelligence.'1
  • The military also said that the strike had killed two senior Hamas members. Gaza’s Health Ministry said women and children made up most of the dead with dozens also wounded. Health officials indicated that the death toll will likely rise.2
  • On Monday, Israel's top prosecutor said that the strike would be investigated and the military 'regrets any harm to non-combatants during the war.' The official described the strike and resulting devastation as 'very grave.'3
  • The strikes came only two days after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday that Israel had ignored the ICJ's order, adding that the ICJ's ruling must be implemented.4
  • The strike has sparked widespread condemnation by regional leaders and Western officials. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country would do 'everything possible' to hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accountable.5
  • A few hours before the strike, eight rockets were fired from Rafah toward Tel Aviv in the first long-range attacks on the city since January. The barrage caused no deaths or injuries but did damage a house north of Tel Aviv.6

Sources: 1Reuters, 2Associated Press, 3Al Arabiya, 4The Times of Israel, 5Al Jazeera and 6BBC News.

Narratives

  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. There is only one word to describe Israel's campaign in Gaza — genocidal. Even if Israeli claims that Hamas officials were present in the area are true, that is not a legitimate reason to knowingly burn women and children alive. This war has gone on for far too long, and Israel must be held accountable for its brutal crimes.
  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Israel carried out a legitimate strike against terror targets in Rafah, as Hamas operatives have continued to hide among the civilian population. Unfortunately, an accidental fire was sparked by Israeli strikes harming civilians. Israel will investigate this incident thoroughly.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by CNN. Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has gotten out of hand. Netanyahu must keep his promises and work with US allies to find a resolution to this conflict.

Predictions