Israeli attack kills dozens in Rafah refugee camp, prompts IDF investigation

(JTA) — An Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in a refugee camp in Rafah killed dozens of people on Sunday, heightening concerns about civilian casualties in the battle for the southern Gaza Strip city.

By Monday afternoon, the number of people killed in the attack had risen to 45, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry in the Gaza Strip, and hundreds were injured.

On Monday, the Israeli army said the attack killed two officers responsible for Hamas terror attacks in the West Bank and that the attack was directed “against legitimate targets under international law.” But the Israeli army’s chief prosecutor, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, said in a speech on Monday that the military was committed to a full investigation into the incident.

“Of course, in a war of this scale and intensity, difficult events occur, such as last night’s incident in Rafah, which was very difficult,” she said. “The Israeli forces regret any harm inflicted on non-combatants during the course of the war.”

The attack came days after the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that Israel should halt its invasion of Rafah, which began earlier this month. The ruling, handed down on Friday and condemned by Israel, is not enforceable but is likely to increase pressure on Israel to halt or limit the operation.

Israel claims the invasion is necessary to defeat the remaining organized Hamas forces in Gaza. However, it has faced international opposition, including from Israel’s allies, as over a million civilians have sought refuge in Rafah. Around 800,000 people have fled the city since the Israeli invasion began.

Following Sunday’s attack, the European Union said it would resume its mission at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which it ended in 2007 after Hamas’ military takeover of the area. The Biden administration told the Times of Israel: “We are aware of reports of the incident in Rafah and are gathering further information.”

The incident came after Hamas rockets were fired into central Israel for the first time in months and Israel is preparing to resume negotiations with Hamas over a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced increasing criticism over its handling of the talks, with one negotiator reportedly saying that a deal was impossible under Israel’s current leadership.

And Gadi Eizenkot, a lawmaker and former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, reportedly told a parliamentary committee that Israel should pause the war to free the remaining hostages. There are estimated to be more than 120 hostages left in Gaza, of whom up to 100 are believed to be alive. More than 100 were released during a ceasefire in November in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners.

“Just as we paused during the last ceasefire, we can suspend fighting and then continue it for as long as necessary to achieve the war aims,” ​​Eisenkot is reported to have said.

The war began on October 7, when Hamas invaded Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Israel then invaded Gaza, and according to the Gaza Health Ministry, about 36,000 people have been killed in the fighting since then. Israel says about a third of these are combatants. More than 280 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the invasion began.