Three Israeli soldiers died in a rocket strike near the southern Gaza city of Rafah, claimed by the Palestinian group Hamas, amid ongoing violence that left at least 19 Palestinians dead from Israeli fire on Sunday.
Hamas’ military wing claimed responsibility for targeting the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, where Israel reported the deaths of three soldiers. The attack prompted the closure of the crossing for aid trucks. Israel stated that ten projectiles were launched from Rafah towards the crossing. However, other border crossings remained operational.
Hamas acknowledged firing rockets at an Israeli military base near the crossing but did not specify the launch site. They asserted that the commercial crossing was not the intended target. In Rafah, where over a million Palestinians reside near the Egyptian border, an Israeli airstrike hit a house, resulting in three deaths and several injuries, as reported by Palestinian medics.
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The Israeli military confirmed the retaliatory strike, targeting the launcher used for the Hamas projectiles and a nearby military structure. They accused Hamas of using civilian areas as shields. Later, another Israeli airstrike on a house in Rafah claimed nine more Palestinian lives, including a baby, raising the death toll for the day to at least 19.
Amidst mounting pressure to cease hostilities, Israel has vowed to enter southern Gaza City to root out Hamas fighters but faces concerns about humanitarian efforts and civilian safety. The attack on the crossing occurred as ceasefire talks in Cairo appeared uncertain, further complicating efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
The conflict erupted following a cross-border raid by Hamas on October 7, resulting in casualties and captives. In response, Israel imposed a blockade and launched military operations in Gaza, resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties.
