Israel’s assault on Rafah, home to more than a million displaced Gazans, continued on Wednesday after the US said the operation did not amount to crossing its red lines.
An Israeli strike on a Rafah refugee camp on Sunday received widespread condemnation after at least 45 civilians were killed, according to officials from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
As the offensive worsens, the Emirati Red Crescent Hospital in Rafah has been forced to “suspend” services.
Dr Marwan Al-Hams, the head of the health emergency committee in Rafah. said that the area surrounding the hospital had “become a red zone”.
Separately, the US-built pier to bring aid into the strip was knocked out of action after breaking apart in bad weather.
The Palestinian health minister said there was “no indication” from Israel that the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s most vital aid lifeline from Egypt, could be opened soon, leaving the enclave reliant on just two land crossings.
The World Health Organisation has delivered medical supplies to Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, marking their first mission to the northern part of the strip in two weeks.
Israel’s chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, on Wednesday described the war as a “national mission for the state of Israel”. Speaking to troops in Rafah he said: “We are here for several reasons. First, this is the last brigade that remains with full capabilities and therefore we want to dismantle the Rafah Brigade.
