A deadly Israeli airstrike targeted a house in the city of Rafah, south of Gaza Strip, on Saturday night, killing 14 Palestinians, including six children and four women. Among the victims were twin brothers, aged two, who died along with their parents and siblings.
The house belonged to the Abu Anza family, who had sought refuge in the Al-Salam neighborhood of Rafah after fleeing from the Israeli bombardment of their original home in Khan Yunis. The attack also caused extensive damage to the surrounding area and wounded dozens of other civilians.
The Israeli occupation army claimed that the house was used by Hamas militants to store weapons and launch rockets, but provided no evidence to support this allegation. Local sources and eyewitnesses denied that the house had any affiliation with Hamas or any other armed group.
The airstrike was part of a wider Israeli offensive that has been ongoing since October 7th of last year, aiming to destroy the infrastructure and resistance of Gaza. The aggression has resulted in a documented toll of at least 30,320 killed and 71,533 injured, with thousands more missing under the rubble, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
The international community has condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire and a political solution to the conflict. Jordan, which hosts a large number of Palestinian refugees, warned of the danger of a possible Israeli ground invasion of Rafah, which houses many displaced people who escaped from the Israeli aggression.
The people of Gaza, however, have shown remarkable resilience and determination in the face of the Israeli onslaught, vowing to continue their struggle for freedom and dignity. They have also expressed their gratitude and solidarity with the countries and movements that have supported their cause and denounced the Israeli occupation.