Israel pummels Gaza after U.S. Congress approves aid
Senate’s approval of the $13 billion aid package sent a ‘strong message to all our enemies’, says Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz; fears are rising that Israel will soon launch an assault on Rafah
Israel pounded Gaza with air strikes and artillery re in its war against Hamas on Wednesday after the U.S. Congress approved $13 billion in military aid.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the Senate’s approval of the aid package already passed by the House of Representatives sent a “strong message to all our enemies” in a post on social media platform X.
U.S.-Israeli relations been strained by Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s determination to send troops into the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where 1.5 million people are sheltering, many in makeshift encampments.
Fears are rising that Israel will soon launch an assault on Rafah, which it says is the “last” major Hamas stronghold, but aid groups warn any invasion would create an “apocalyptic situation”.
Early on Wednesday, hospital and security sources in Gaza reported Israeli air strikes in Rafah, as well as the central Nuseirat refugee camp.
Heavy bombardment of several areas of northern Gaza during the night was reported, while the Israeli military said its aircraft
“struck over 50 targets” over the previous 24 hours.
Mr. Netanyahu, however, has insisted the assault on Rafah will go ahead.
Citing Egyptian ocials briefed on the Israeli plans, the Wall Street Journal said Israel was planning to move civilians from Rafah to nearby Khan Yunis over a period of two to three weeks.
Satellite images shared by Maxar Technologies showed new blocks of tents that had been set up in recent weeks in southern Gaza.
The Journal reported that Israel would then send troops into Rafah gradually, targeting areas where Hamas leaders are thought to be hiding in an operation expected to last six weeks.
Ismail al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas government media oce, said an invasion would be a “crime” and that central Gaza and Khan Yunis “cannot accommodate the numbers of displaced people in Rafah”.
The war began with an unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of around 1,170 people.
In retaliation, Israel launched a military oensive that has killed at least 34,262 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s Health Ministry.