Israeli Tanks Advance in Western Rafah; Israeli Army Attacks '45 Targets'

Residents of Rafah reported on Thursday, June 14, that Israeli tanks advanced in the western area of Rafah alongside nighttime bombardments, forcing many families to flee their homes and tents in the dark. According to Reuters, Israeli forces advanced towards the al-Mawasi area in Rafah near the coast, which has been designated as a humanitarian zone in announcements and maps published by the Israeli army since the beginning of the assault on Rafah in May. The Israeli army denied any attacks on the al-Mawasi area, stating that the aim of the assault is to destroy the last military units of Hamas in Rafah. In a statement, it was announced that Israeli army forces 'discovered weapons and killed armed Palestinian men in battles yesterday.' Over the past day, the Israeli army announced that it had struck 45 targets across the Gaza Strip from the air, including military structures, militia cells, rocket launchers, and tunnel shafts. Before the latest advance, the city of Rafah had sheltered over a million people. Most of these individuals have now moved north towards Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. In a recent operation by Israel, four hostages were freed. Following this, officials from the Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, claimed that at least 274 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, were killed in that operation. Ongoing clashes in Gaza began on October 7, coinciding with the 15th of Mehr last year, when the Iran-backed Hamas group attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages into Gaza. More than 100 hostages remain in captivity by this group. Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that their goal in this war is the complete destruction of the 'terrorist' group Hamas and the return of all hostages to their homes. A press conference was held by the U.S. Secretary of State and the Prime Minister of Qatar regarding the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Shahram Khalidi: Senior Hamas commanders are cowardly acting in the Gaza war. Hamas claims: We have shown enough 'optimism' to reach an agreement.