Israel pummels Gaza after US approves military aid
Israel pounded Gaza with air strikes and artillery fire in its onslaught on Gaza on Wednesday after the US Congress approved $13 billion in military aid.
Fears are also rising that Israel will soon launch an assault on the city Rafah in the Gaza Strip, which it claims is the “last” major Hamas stronghold, but aid groups warn any invasion would create an “apocalyptic situation”, AFP reported. Early Wednesday, hospital and security sources in Gaza reported Israeli air strikes in Rafah, as well as the central Nuseirat refugee camp.
There were also reports of heavy bombardment of several areas of northern Gaza during the night, while the Israeli military said its aircraft “struck over 50 targets” over the previous 24 hours.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has insisted the assault on Rafah will go ahead.
Citing Egyptian officials briefed on the Israeli plans, the Wall Street Journal said Israel was planning to move civilians from Rafah to nearby Khan Yunis over a period of two to three weeks.
Satellite images shared by Maxar Technologies showed new blocks of tents that had been set up in recent weeks in southern Gaza. Ismail al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas government media office said an invasion would be a “crime” and that central Gaza and Khan Yunis “cannot accommodate the numbers of displaced people in Rafah”.