Breaking News: Israel’s Tanks Enter Central Rafah, Escalating Conflict in Gaza

Israel’s Tanks Seen in Central Rafah Amid Mounting Global Pressure

Israel’s tanks were spotted in central Rafah on Tuesday for the first time since its military entered Gaza’s southernmost city earlier this month, according to two eyewitnesses. This development signals a new phase in the offensive despite growing international pressure on Israel to halt its assault on the city.

The tanks arrived just two days after a strike on a Rafah camp resulted in the deaths of dozens of displaced Palestinians on Sunday and as the international community continues to urge Israel to cease its attacks on the city.

Israeli airstrikes in Rafah over the past two days have prompted more displaced people to flee, with two additional attacks on Tuesday resulting in the deaths of at least 29 Palestinians, as reported by authorities in Gaza.

The first strike targeted a displacement camp only 150 meters away from the site of Sunday’s deadly strike, while the second hit a displacement camp in the southern coastal town of Al-Mawasi, an area previously designated by Israel as a “safe zone” where thousands had been ordered to evacuate to.

Despite global condemnation, the United States has stated that President Joe Biden is not planning to alter his policy towards Israel, indicating that the strikes have not yet crossed a red line that would prompt changes in American support. The White House National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, emphasized on Tuesday that there were no indications so far that Israel’s actions would result in the withholding of aid or weapons.

However, the situation in Rafah remains dire, with over 1 million Palestinians having fled the city since the conflict began seven months ago. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to immediately halt its military operation in Rafah, but Israel’s advance continues despite these calls.

The displacement of people in Rafah and neighboring areas like Khan Younis has led to a humanitarian crisis, with residents expressing despair over the lack of shelter, life, and a future. The ongoing violence has left civilians, including the elderly and children, feeling humiliated and vulnerable.

As the situation in Rafah unfolds, the IDF maintains that its operations in the city are targeted and precise, citing the presence of Hamas battalions as justification for its actions. Investigations into recent deadly strikes, including Sunday’s tragic incident in a camp in Rafah, are ongoing, with the IDF claiming that the scale of the fire could not have been solely caused by Israeli weaponry.

The international community continues to monitor the situation in Rafah closely, with calls for a cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilian lives intensifying as the conflict escalates.