On Friday, 21 June 2024, Israeli forces bombarded Rafah in southern Gaza and other areas around the territory, killing at least 45 Palestinians as troops engaged in close-quarter fighting with Hamas terrorists, according to residents and Israel’s Military. Residents claimed the Israelis appeared to be attempting to complete the takeover of Rafah, which borders is Egypt and has been the target of an Israeli attack since early May, 2024.

Tanks were advancing into the Western and Northern areas of the city, having already taken the east, south, and center. Firing from planes, tanks, and ships off the shore resulted in a new wave of displacement from the city, which had been sheltering over a million displaced persons, the majority of whom had to evacuate once more. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 25 Palestinians were killed and 50 were injured in Mawasi, west of Rafah. According to Palestinian sources, a tank shell struck a tent housing displaced families.

“Two tanks climbed a hilltop overlooking Mawasi and fired balls of fire into the tents of the poor people displaced in the area, one resident told Reuters via a chat application. The Israeli Military stated the event was being investigated. An initial inquiry conducted suggests that there is no indication that a strike was carried out by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) in the Humanitarian Area in Al-Mawasi,” it reported.

Earlier, the Military stated that its forces were undertaking “precise, intelligence-based” operations in the Rafah area, where troops were engaged in close-quarter battle and had discovered militant tunnels. The military claimed troops had attacked a university that operated as a Hamas headquarters, where militants had shot at soldiers and discovered weapons and barrel bombs. It did not specify the university.

The Military said soldiers had killed scores of militants in Nusseirat’s central region during the last week and discovered a weapons stockpile with Hamas mortar bombs and military equipment. According to some residents, the Israeli assault on Rafah has intensified over the last two days, with the sounds of explosions and gunshots barely stopping.

“Last night was one of the deadliest nights in western Rafah, with drones, planes, tanks, and naval vessels bombarding the area. We believe the occupation is attempting to have complete control of the city,” said Hatem, 45, reached by text message.