Israel kills 20 Palestinians in new Rafah operation

WORLD  07 May 2024 - 13:24

At least 20 people were killed in Israel Defence Forces (IDF) strikes on targets in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.

Israeli warplanes also shelled a school housing displaced people in the al-Shati refugee camp, according to Al Jazeera TV channel, citing medics.

The strikes killed one person and wounded others.

Earlier on May 6, Israel’s War Cabinet decided to push ahead with a military operation in Rafah, after Hamas announced its acceptance of an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a cease-fire deal. The Israeli military said it was conducting “targeted strikes” against Hamas in Rafah without providing details.

On the night of May 6 to 7, Israeli tanks entered the southern Gaza town of Rafah, reaching as close as 200 meters (yards) from its crossing with neighbouring Egypt, according to a Palestinian security official and an Egyptian official.

The war between Israel and Hamas began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 252 others, of whom 133 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 34,600 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to Gaza health officials. The U.N. has said famine is imminent in the enclave.

Caliber.Az