IOF invasion of Rafah results in halt of passenger and aid traffic

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
7 May 2024 10:20
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The Israeli occupation intensified its airstrikes across Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, while its tanks and military vehicles stormed the Rafah border crossing.

An image taken from the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing after the Israeli occupation invaded Rafah on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Social media)

The Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has entered its 214th day, amid intense bombardment on the city of Rafah and airstrikes targeting Gaza City and its northern areas around the Yarmouk area, east of Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun. This continuous bombardment has resulted in the martyrdom and injury of several Palestinians.

In further details, local media reported that Israeli occupation military vehicles have advanced toward the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, with several artillery deliberately aimed at densely-populated residential buildings.

Moreover, local media underscored that Israeli military vehicles are now positioned about 200 meters from the Rafah border crossing, firing several shells at the crossing's buildings.

مشاهد متداولة من اقتحام دبابات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي لمرافق معبر #رفح من الجانب الفلسطيني#فلسطين_المحتلة #غزة pic.twitter.com/yxGvWMOc8s
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) May 7, 2024

Fire belts throughout the night in Rafah

Additionally, the city of Rafah has endured a night of relentless airstrikes and artillery shelling.

Reports have confirmed tragic casualties among Palestinians resulting from Israeli airstrikes targeting residential areas in Rafah.

In the Tel Sultan neighborhood, west of Rafah, five Palestinians were killed and several others were injured when their house was struck by an Israeli airstrike. Similarly, in another devastating incident, three Palestinians, including a child, were killed in the Israeli occupation's bombardment of the Abu Amra family's house.

The impact of the conflict was further felt in the Jenina neighborhood east of Rafah, where four Palestinians were martyred in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Hams family's home.

Additionally, in the central administrative district of Rafah, the Abdel Aal family's home was targeted by another Israeli airstrike, resulting in the death of one family member and injuries to several others.

مدفعية الاحتلال الإسرائيلي تستهدف بشكل متواصل مناطق متفرقة في #رفح #فلسطين_المحتلة #غزة pic.twitter.com/JYcluC0NnP
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) May 7, 2024

Since last night, the Israeli occupation forces have intensified their bombardment of eastern Rafah, with reports of flares illuminating the sky as part of Israeli aerial activity, including reconnaissance flights.

It is worth noting that Rafah serves as a critical refuge for displaced individuals within Gaza, particularly following "Israel's" invasion of Gaza which began on October 27 last year.

The Rafah border crossing is vital for Gaza's residents, enabling the delivery of essential aid and evacuation of the injured. The ongoing Israeli invasion threatens to further impede humanitarian assistance and medical support.

'Israel' did not forget to bomb northern Gaza

Israeli occupation forces targeted the eastern areas of Beit Hanoun and Jabalia with multiple airstrikes in the northern Gaza Strip.

Additionally, Israeli warplanes carried out several airstrikes on Gaza City and its northern areas around the Yarmouk district and east of Jabalia. Three civilians were martyred and others were injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house belonging to the Dallami family in the Sabra neighborhood south of Gaza City.

"جيش" الاحتلال الإسرائيلي يطلق قنابل ضوئية في سماء مدينة #رفح في قطاع غزة #فلسطين_المحتلة #غزة pic.twitter.com/fkgJhXqZuv
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) May 7, 2024

Another civilian was martyred and one was injured in an airstrike targeting a house belonging to the Bakr family in al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City.

In turn, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that Israeli artillery renewed its targeting of the northern area of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.