At least 35 people, including women and children, were killed and many others injured in an Israeli missile attack on a refugee camp in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The attack occurred at 8:45 pm local time on Sunday, involving at least eight missiles launched by Israeli forces.

Witnesses reported to local media outlet Wafa that the tents in the camp, designated as a safe zone, caught fire following the attack. The British news agency Reuters corroborated this report.

Local officials initially reported a death toll of 40, but Ashraf al-Kidra, spokesman for the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, confirmed 35 fatalities and dozens of injuries. The strike targeted the Tel al-Sultan area in western Rafah, where thousands of people had sought refuge after fleeing from other parts of the city amid ongoing violence.

According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), many victims were burned alive inside the tents. The Palestinian Civil Defense managed to extinguish the fire in the refugee camp after 45 minutes.

The Israeli military stated that their airstrikes targeted a Hamas compound in Rafah, claiming the operation was carried out with precision to strike Hamas ammunition. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also claimed that a senior Hamas official was killed in the attack. However, reports indicate that several civilians were affected by the attack and subsequent fires.

Despite an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday to halt attacks in the Rafah area, Israeli military operations have continued unabated. The United Nations reports that more than 800,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah since the start of the Israeli ground offensive two weeks ago, with at least 1 million refugees currently taking shelter in the Gaza Strip.

Over the past 24 hours, Israeli forces have also conducted multiple attacks in Jabalia, Nuseirat, and Gaza City, resulting in at least 160 deaths. Since the Israeli invasion of Gaza began on October 7, approximately 36,000 Palestinians have been killed. Additionally, 1,139 Israelis have died in attacks by Hamas.

The situation remains dire, with significant loss of life and ongoing conflict exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The international community continues to call for de-escalation and a ceasefire to prevent further casualties and suffering among the civilian population.