Israeli Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Gaza Following ICC Order

Palestinian health workers reported that Israeli airstrikes killed at least 35 people on Sunday and struck tents for displaced individuals in Rafah, southern Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry stated that women and children constituted most of the dead, with dozens more injured. Numerous people remain trapped in the flaming debris.

The airstrikes occurred two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to end its military offensive in Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population had sought refuge prior to Israel’s recent incursion. Despite the attack, many remain in Rafah, while others have fled.

Footage from the largest airstrike revealed extensive destruction. The Israeli army confirmed the strike, stating it targeted a Hamas installation and killed two senior Hamas militants. The army is investigating reports of civilian casualties. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was briefed on the situation in Rafah on Sunday.

A Palestinian Red Crescent Society spokesperson indicated that the death toll might rise as search and rescue efforts continue in Rafah’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. The society noted that Israel had designated the neighborhood as a “humanitarian area,” and it was not included in the evacuation orders issued earlier.

The airstrike followed a Hamas rocket barrage from Gaza that triggered air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv, the first such attack in months. No casualties were reported from the rocket attack, which Hamas’ military wing claimed responsibility for. Israel’s military reported that eight projectiles crossed into Israel, some of which were intercepted, and the launcher was subsequently destroyed.

Earlier on Sunday, dozens of aid trucks entered Gaza from southern Israel under a new agreement to bypass the Rafah crossing with Egypt, which Israeli forces seized earlier this month. However, due to ongoing fighting, it remains unclear if humanitarian groups can access the aid. U.N. agencies warn that retrieving aid is often too dangerous.

The World Health Organization previously warned that an expanded Israeli incursion in Rafah could have a “disastrous” impact. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for safe delivery of humanitarian supplies entering via the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Egypt has refused to reopen its side of the Rafah crossing until control of the Gaza side is returned to Palestinians. It temporarily agreed to divert traffic through Kerem Shalom following discussions between U.S. President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

The ongoing war has resulted in nearly 36,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and fighters. Around 80% of Gaza’s population has fled their homes, with severe hunger widespread and some areas experiencing famine.

The conflict began on October 7 when Hamas launched an attack into Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and seizing about 250 hostages. Hamas still holds around 100 hostages, with the remains of around 30 others after most were released during a previous cease-fire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel must take control of Rafah to eliminate Hamas’ remaining forces and achieve “total victory.”

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, tensions have escalated. Palestinian authorities reported that Israeli forces shot dead a 14-year-old boy near Saeer. The Israeli army claimed the boy was attempting to stab soldiers.

Southern Gaza has been largely cut off from aid since Israel's limited incursion into Rafah on May 6, with over 1 million Palestinians fleeing the city. Northern Gaza receives aid through two land routes, but only a few dozen trucks enter daily, far below the needed 600 trucks.

In a separate incident, Israel’s military detained a man over a video in which he threatens mutiny against the defense minister's suggestion that Palestinians should govern Gaza after the war, pledging loyalty to Netanyahu alone. The man has been removed from reserve duty, according to Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.