Israeli Airstrike on Rafah; 11 Killed

Reuters reported on Wednesday's Israeli airstrike on the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, which has raised concerns about the possibility of a prolonged ground invasion by Israel among over a million Palestinians sheltering in the area. Officials from the Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by the militant group Hamas, stated that 11 members of a family were killed in one of the recent airstrikes. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank also announced on Wednesday that three Palestinians were killed and four others wounded in an overnight Israeli attack on the city of Jenin in that region. Reuters noted that alongside the war in Gaza, violence in the West Bank has also increased. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli attacks on Gaza controlled by Hamas. Israel claims to have killed thousands of Hamas members. Israel also emphasizes that Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human shields. The war in Gaza began after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants attacked Israel on October 7 of last year. According to Israeli statistics, about 1,200 were killed in that attack, most of whom were civilians. Additionally, 253 individuals were taken hostage and transferred to Gaza. These two groups are supported militarily by the Islamic Republic and are listed as terrorist organizations by various countries. According to this report, Israeli forces have besieged two main hospitals in Khan Younis since late last week. They are also engaged in clashes with militants at the Al-Shifa hospital complex in northern Gaza, the largest hospital in Gaza, which they attacked a week ago. Israel claims that Hamas members have used these hospitals. Hamas and the medical staff of Al-Shifa hospital deny this. Meanwhile, the Israeli army has stated that it has killed and captured hundreds of militants in this hospital. However, Hamas claims that civilians and doctors have been arrested. In the meantime, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday that protecting the lives of Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas is a moral, strategic, and necessary matter. Israel has emphasized its attack on Rafah, where displaced Palestinians have taken refuge during the war. Rafah is located on the border of Gaza with Egypt, and some experts say that Hamas has been smuggling weapons through underground tunnels there, making operations in Rafah necessary for the destruction of Hamas. Austin to his Israeli counterpart: Protecting Palestinian civilians is 'moral and necessary'. Netanyahu: Israel will not succumb to Hamas's imaginary demands. Israeli army: Hamas is 'destroying' Al-Shifa hospital. Israel's response to Guterres's criticisms: The UN has become an anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli entity.