Hamas (Transatlantic Today) – For the first time in months, alarm sirens blared across central Israel as Hamas launched a missile attack on Tel Aviv. The Ezedin al Qasam brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement, claimed responsibility for the rocket barrage, citing retaliation for “Zionist massacres against civilians.”
Rocket Attack and Israeli Response
The Israeli military reported that at least eight rockets were fired from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters persist. Israel’s defense systems intercepted some rockets.
According to Ambito, earlier, Israeli airstrikes targeted northern and central Gaza, as well as Rafah, causing significant casualties. The Gazan civil defense recovered six bodies from an airstrike-hit house in eastern Rafah. Despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering a halt to operations in the area, Israeli military actions continued.
International Efforts for a Ceasefire
International and domestic pressure is mounting on Israel and Hamas to negotiate a truce. After nearly eight months of conflict, efforts to release hostages held by Hamas are intensifying. The Israeli war cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss hostage release strategies.
Negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, stalled in early May after Israel began ground operations in Rafah. Recent discussions in Paris involving Mossad, the CIA, and Qatari officials aimed to establish a new negotiation framework.
Humanitarian Situation and Border Crossings
The ICJ has called for the reopening of the Egypt-Gaza border crossing at Rafah, crucial for humanitarian aid. Egypt, initially refusing to open the crossing under Israeli control, announced it would permit aid trucks to pass through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Around 200 trucks have moved towards Kerem Shalom, with Egyptian efforts ongoing to revive indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Background of the Conflict
The conflict reignited on October 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing over 1,170 people and kidnapping 252 others. Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza has resulted in 35,984 Palestinian deaths, predominantly civilians, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Humanitarian Impact and Displacement
The UN reports that around 800,000 people have fled Rafah since the escalation of hostilities, warning of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis with risks of famine and inoperative hospitals due to the Israeli blockade. The situation remains dire as international efforts continue to seek a resolution to the prolonged conflict.