Rafah: Israel claims ‘precision munitions’ used against ‘legitimate’ Hamas targets

The health ministry in Gaza says at least 45 people have been killed and dozens more injured in an Israeli airstrike on Rafah. The Hamas-run ministry says the strike hit an area where thousands of displaced civilians are sheltering. Israel confirmed its military did carry out an attack on Rafah, and says the strike killed two Hamas commanders.

Netanyahu: Attacking Rafah necessary to return captives

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the capture of the Rafah crossing is an “important step” towards “dismantling Hamas”. Netanyahu added military pressure on Hamas is a necessary condition for “the return of our captives”. The proposal Hamas agreed to on a ceasefire “falls far short of Israel’s essential demands”, the beleaguered Israeli leader said.

Israel vows to press ahead with Rafah offensive |

Six months into the war in Gaza, Israel faces strong pressure from the US not to mount a full-scale ground offensive into Rafah. Israel has withdrawn many of its ground troops from Gaza, but says it hasn't finished its military operations there.

Netanyahu claims Rafah 'last bastion' of Hamas

Israel has said it is planning a ground assault on Rafah to destroy four Hamas battalions they claim to be stationed in the area. Many Western officials have criticized the plan, saying the Israeli ground operation in Rafah would prompt a humanitarian catastrophe for the around 1.3 million people sheltering there.

Young child pulled out of rubble alive after airstrike hits Rafah in Gaza

At least 20 people were killed and 55 wounded by an Israeli airstrike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry of Gaza. The incident occurred near the Kuwaiti hospital, Al Jazeera reported, citing its correspondent, who said the airstrike had 'completely flattened the residential building that is full of displaced people'. The Israel Defense Forces have not yet commented on the reports