The recent attack in the southern Gaza city of Rafah by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has escalated from airstrikes to ground operations, according to new satellite images obtained by CNN from Planet Labs. The images show the IDF active outside of the immediate border crossing area between Egypt and Gaza, with some buildings bulldozed and mustering areas for IDF vehicles visible. Ground forces have penetrated more than a mile inside Rafah from the crossing gate, indicating a significant expansion of the operation.
The airstrikes on Rafah have led to the destruction of several buildings and have resulted in the death of at least four people, according to a local hospital. Satellite images suggest that the strikes are ongoing, with smoke still rising from one location. Footage obtained by CNN shows the aftermath of an attack, with people running through the streets, some carrying injured children towards Al Kuwaiti hospital. The hospital reported four people killed and around two dozen injured in the Tal Al Sultan neighborhood in western Rafah.
Rafah has become a central focus of the conflict in Gaza, with Israel targeting the city in an effort to destroy Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing pressure from within his coalition to launch a full-scale ground operation in Rafah to eliminate Hamas, while others are calling for a ceasefire-for-hostages deal. The satellite images show signs of buildings being razed by heavy machinery, resembling previous ground operations in Gaza.
The IDF has stated that it is conducting a “precise counterterrorism operation” in specific areas of eastern Rafah, including targeted raids and the elimination of terrorists. The military also claimed to have uncovered terrorist infrastructure and underground shafts in the area. Footage released by the IDF shows its forces conducting raids on suspicious buildings near where they were fired on by Hamas militants. The operation resulted in the elimination of around 30 terrorists and the destruction of terrorist infrastructure.
Since Monday evening, at least 35 people have been reported dead in Rafah, including women and children. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 34,600 deaths since October, as reported by Palestinian authorities. Aid agencies have warned against a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah, citing the potential for increased suffering and death among the displaced Palestinians sheltering in and around the city. The situation in Gaza is dire, with a full-blown famine already affecting northern Gaza and spreading rapidly across the strip.
