(JTA) — An Israeli strike targeting Hamas leaders in a displaced persons camp in Rafah killed dozens of people on Sunday, drawing global condemnation and heightening concern over the civilian toll in Gaza.
As of Monday afternoon, the number of people killed in the strike in southern Gaza had risen to 45, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, and hundreds were wounded.
On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said that the strike killed two officials in charge of Hamas’ terror attacks in the West Bank, and was “carried out against legitimate targets under international law.” But the IDF’s lead prosecutor, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, said in a speech on Monday that the military was committed to fully investigating the incident.
“Naturally, in a war with this scope and intensity, difficult events also occur, like the event yesterday night in Rafah, which was very difficult,” she said. “The IDF regrets any harm to noncombatants over the course of the war.”
In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a “tragic mistake.”
The strike came days after a ruling by the International Court of Justice in the Hague ordered Israel to halt its invasion of Rafah, which began earlier this month. The ruling, handed down on Friday and condemned by Israel, is unenforceable but is likely to increase pressure on Israel to cease or curb the operation.
Israel says the invasion is necessary to defeat Hamas’ remaining organized military forces in Gaza, but has drawn opposition internationally, including from Israel’s allies, because more than a million civilians had taken refuge in Rafah. Some 800,000 have fled the city since the beginning of Israel’s invasion.
World leaders, including allies of Israel, condemned the strike. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement, “I condemn Israel’s actions which killed scores of innocent civilians who were only seeking shelter from this deadly conflict. There is no safe place in Gaza. This horror must stop.”
In the wake of the strike, the European Union said it would bring back its mission at the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, which it ended in 2007 after Hamas’ military takeover of the territory. On Tuesday, three EU states — Norway, Ireland and Spain — formally recognized the state of Palestine.
“Horrified by news coming out of #Rafah on Israeli strikes killing dozens of displaced persons, including small children,” EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said in a statement, calling for adherence to ICJ rulings and human rights law. “I condemn this in the strongest terms. There is no safe place in Gaza.”
The Biden administration issued a statement Monday calling the strike “heartbreaking” and calling on Israel to protect civilians even as it pursues Hamas’ leadership.
“The devastating images following the IDF strike in Rafah last night that killed dozens of innocent Palestinians are heartbreaking,” said a statement by an administration spokesperson.
“Israel has a right to go after Hamas,” the statement added. “But as we’ve been clear, Israel must take every precaution possible to protect civilians.”
The incident also came after Hamas rockets targeted central Israel for the first time in months, and as Israel is preparing to restart negotiations with Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has faced mounting backlash over its approach to the talks, with a lead negotiator reportedly remarking that reaching a deal would be impossible under Israel’s current leadership.
And Gadi Eizenkot, a lawmaker and former IDF chief of staff, reportedly told a parliamentary committee that Israel should pause the war to get the remaining hostages out. More than 120 hostages are estimated to remain in Gaza, with as many as 100 thought to be alive. More than 100 were released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners during a ceasefire in November.
“Just as we stopped for a truce last time, we can suspend the fighting and return to it for as long as it takes to achieve the goals of the war,” Eisenkot reportedly said.
The war began on Oct. 7 when Hamas invaded Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostage. Israel then invaded Gaza, and according to the Gaza health ministry, some 36,000 people have since been killed in the fighting. Israel says roughly a third of that number are combatants. More than 280 IDF soldiers have been killed since the invasion began.
