(JTA) — An Israel Defense Forces strike targeting Hamas leaders in a displaced persons camp in Rafah killed dozens of people on Sunday, raising concerns about the civilian casualties in the ongoing battle in southern Gaza.
As of Monday afternoon, the death toll from the strike had reached 45, with hundreds more wounded, according to the Gaza health ministry run by Hamas.
The IDF stated on Monday that the strike successfully killed two Hamas officials responsible for terror attacks in the West Bank and was in accordance with international law. However, the IDF’s lead prosecutor, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, expressed regret for any harm caused to noncombatants and promised a thorough investigation into the incident.
The strike occurred shortly after the International Court of Justice in the Hague issued a ruling ordering Israel to halt its invasion of Rafah, which began earlier in the month. While the ruling is not enforceable, it is expected to intensify pressure on Israel to either cease or scale back its operation.
Israel justifies the invasion as necessary to eliminate Hamas’ remaining military presence in Gaza but has faced international opposition due to the large number of civilians seeking refuge in Rafah. The European Union announced plans to reinstate its mission at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and the Biden administration is monitoring the situation closely.
In response to the strike, Hamas launched rockets into central Israel for the first time in months, prompting preparations for negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage release deal. There are ongoing debates within the Israeli government regarding the handling of these negotiations, with some officials suggesting a pause in the conflict to facilitate the release of remaining hostages.
The conflict, which began with a Hamas invasion of Israel, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Israel reports over 280 IDF soldiers killed, while the Gaza health ministry estimates around 36,000 total deaths, with a significant portion being combatants.