Tanks move into Rafah’s centre as Israel continues its attack in spite of global criticism

Israeli tanks went into the middle of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, according to an eye witnesses. This happened three weeks after a ground operation started in the southern Gaza city. Many people around the world have criticized this operation.

The people saw the tanks near the Al-Awda mosque in Rafah, and they told Reuters. The Israeli military said its soldiers are still working in the Rafah area, but they didn’t say anything about whether they have moved into the city center.

During the night, the military attacked the city with airstrikes and tank fire, even though many people were upset about a previous attack on Sunday that caused a fire in a tent camp, killing at least 45 Palestinians, mostly children, women, and elderly people.

Since the strike, at least 26 more people have been killed by Israeli gunfire in Rafah, according to officials in the area controlled by Hamas militants.

Israeli tanks moved towards the western neighborhoods and positioned themselves on the Zurub hilltop in western Rafah. It was one of the most intense nights of bombing reported by the people who live there. On Tuesday, people saw fighting with guns between Israeli soldiers and fighters led by Hamas in the Zurub area.

People in Rafah saw the Israeli military bringing in armored vehicles that can be operated from far away. There were no soldiers nearby them. An Israeli army representative did not have an answer right away.

Israel started moving into the border area with Egypt three weeks ago. Tanks went near Rafah and some even went into parts of the eastern districts, but they haven’t gone into the city with full power yet.

Global leaders are saying that there was an attack on Sunday night in a camp where families who had been moved from other places in Gaza had gone for safety. They are asking for the World Court’s order to be followed to stop Israel’s attack.

People who live in Tel Al-Sultan area said that the area where the deadly strike happened on Sunday is still being heavily bombed.

“Bombs are dropping all over Tel Al-Sultan. ” A person who lives in western Rafah said that many families had to leave their homes because there was a lot of shooting happening all night. They spoke about it on a chat app to Reuters.

About one million people have left Rafah because of the Israeli attack since the beginning of May, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Israel is still attacking despite a decision by the highest UN court to tell them to stop. They say the court’s decision allows them to use military force there.

Spain, Ireland, and Norway will say they accept Palestine as its own country on Tuesday. Israel is not happy about it and feels like it is alone after the long fight in Gaza.

The three countries say they made their decision to help stop the fighting between Israel and Hamas and make a ceasefire happen faster.

Israel attacked Palestine and more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel started the operation because the Hamas-led militants attacked some towns in southern Israel on Oct 7. They killed about 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages, according to Israel.

Israel wants to find and remove Hamas fighters hiding in Rafah and save people who are being held as hostages there.