Palestinians say the situation in Rafah “is like being on the waiting list to die”

A deadly Israeli airstrike on a tent camp in Rafah late Sunday has led to widespread international condemnation and further scrutiny of Israel’s offensive against Hamas. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the attack killed at least 45 people and left many others wounded.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of horror as fires engulfed the makeshift encampment in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. Parents were burned alive in their tents while children screamed for help. Medical personnel struggled to treat severe shrapnel wounds with rapidly depleting supplies. Doctors Without Borders reported that 28 people were dead on arrival at a temporary trauma center less than two miles from the strike site. Another 180 patients were treated for severe burns, shrapnel wounds, and other traumatic injuries.

In an address to parliament on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the Rafah strike as a “tragic accident” and promised an investigation. This statement marked a shift from earlier Israeli military claims that the strike targeted a Hamas compound with “precise munitions” and “precise intelligence.” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that two militants were killed in the attack, including the commander of Hamas operations in the West Bank. The IDF emphasized that measures were taken to minimize harm to non-combatants and that the incident is under investigation.

Eyewitness Mohammad Al-Haila described seeing flames and charred bodies as he searched for relatives in the aftermath of the strike. “I saw flames rising, charred bodies, people running from everywhere, and calls for help getting louder,” he said. Al-Haila lost seven relatives in the attack, including four children. “We were not able to identify them until this morning because of the charred bodies,” he said.

Ahmed Al-Rahl, another eyewitness, described the chaos that ensued as explosions rocked the camp. “No one knew what to do,” he said. “Children who were with their families in those tents rushed to us, asking us to save their parents who were burning.” Al-Rahl attempted to help with a fire extinguisher but was overwhelmed by the devastation. “I saw with my own eyes someone burning and crying for help, and I could not save his life,” he recounted.

Medical facilities in Rafah are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties. Samuel Johann, the emergency coordinator in Gaza for Doctors Without Borders, reported severe shortages of medical supplies. “We are running out of everything, literally,” he said. Many patients requiring further care had few options as Rafah’s main hospitals have been evacuated, and the smaller Kuwait hospital has closed due to repeated attacks.

The strike on Rafah, outside Israel’s designated evacuation zone, has raised questions about the clarity and effectiveness of evacuation orders. Residents often rely on word-of-mouth and pamphlets for information, leading to confusion about safe areas. The IDF stated that the attack did not occur in the humanitarian area in Al Mawasi, where many evacuees have been directed. However, conditions in Mawasi are reportedly dire, with overcrowding and a lack of basic services.

International reaction to the strike has been swift. French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly have called for an immediate cease-fire, citing the high level of civilian suffering. Germany, traditionally a strong supporter of Israel, issued a statement expressing the need for better protection of Gaza’s civilian population.

As the conflict continues, displaced families in Rafah face an uncertain future. Mohammad Abu Shahma, who lost family members in the attack, described the urgent need to relocate. “We did not even find time to grieve for those we lost,” he said. “All that matters to us now is to save those who remain.”

The situation in Rafah remains dire, with many residents searching for missing loved ones and dealing with the trauma of the recent violence. “What we live in this life cannot be described,” said Mohammad Al-Haila. “It is like being on the waiting list to die.”