Hamas and the Palestinian Authority accused Israel of striking a center for displaced people near Rafah, resulting in dozens of deaths. The Israeli army claimed they targeted Hamas militants.
The health ministry in Gaza reported that the strikes killed 35 people, mostly children and women. The attack hit a UN agency center for Palestinian refugees according to Hamas-run government media office in Gaza.
Israel’s army stated they targeted a Hamas compound in Rafah, killing two senior Hamas officials. They acknowledged reports of civilian casualties from the strike.
At least eight rockets were fired from Rafah, hitting central areas of Israel, including Tel Aviv. The fighting in Rafah intensified in early May, with concerns for civilians in the area.
The Palestinian Red Crescent and Gaza’s civil defense agency also reported casualties from the strikes. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas condemned the attack, urging Palestinians to rise up against it.
