Israeli bombing of Rafah kills 12 Palestinians according to Gaza medics

Israeli forces killed at least 12 Palestinians in Gaza. Fighting continues. Israel captures buffer zone, cutting off Hamas supply route. Gaza in turmoil.

Israeli forces conducted a dawn airstrike on Rafah in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 Palestinians, according to Gaza medics. The fighting continued in various areas of the coastal enclave as Israel intensified its offensive on Rafah. This offensive came after Israel claimed to have gained control of a buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border, effectively controlling Gaza's entire land frontier.

The capture of the buffer zone was intended to cut off a route used by Hamas to smuggle arms into Gaza during the ongoing conflict. The airstrike in Rafah resulted in the deaths of 12 Palestinians, described as civilians, who were attempting to recover the body of a civilian in the city center. Additional casualties were reported in an airstrike on Al-Shati refugee camp near Gaza City.

Despite an order from the International Court of Justice to halt the attacks, Israel continued its raids on Rafah. The conflict has resulted in a significant number of casualties on both sides, with thousands of Palestinians killed and Israeli combat losses numbering in the hundreds. The Israeli military has reported the discovery of tunnels used by Hamas for smuggling arms and moving fighters underground, as well as the recovery of large amounts of arms and explosives.

Efforts to mediate indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on arranging a ceasefire and the release of hostages have stalled. The United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, has been involved in these mediation efforts. The conflict has also led to violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, with Israeli soldiers killed in attacks by Palestinian individuals.

As the conflict continues, malnutrition has become widespread in Gaza, with aid deliveries slowing down. The United Nations has warned of a potential famine in the region. In a potential lifeline, the Israeli military has lifted a ban on the sale of food to Gaza from Israel and the West Bank, allowing Gazan traders to resume purchases of essential goods.

The conflict has also had repercussions on other fronts, with the leader of Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis pledging to escalate their operations in solidarity with the Palestinians. The situation remains complex and volatile, with ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.