Dozens are said to have been killed in the night’s attack. The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip reports 52 deaths as a result of the powerful attacks which, among other things, hit 14 homes and three mosques in Rafah. A journalist from the AP news agency who is in Rafah reports that the area around the Kuwaiti hospital in the city was hit. Several of those injured in last night’s attack have been taken to hospital. There are about 1.5 million people in Rafah, which is on the border with Egypt. Over 1.2 million have fled to the small city to escape Israeli attacks further north in Gaza. The IDF rescued two hostages The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirms that they have carried out a number of airstrikes, and that these are finished for the night. Furthermore, it is said that they have hit “terrorist targets in the Shaboura area”. The IDF also says that they have carried out an operation in Rafah where they rescued two hostages from Hamas. The men have been named as 60-year-old Fernandi Simon Marman and 70-year-old Louis Har, reports the AP news agency. Both were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Yizhak in the terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October last year. According to the IDF, they are in good shape. The men were among the more than 130 hostages who, according to Israel, are still being held captive by Hamas. The two freed hostages are Israeli-Argentinians with dual citizenship. Now Argentine President Javier Milei is thanking the Israeli Defense Forces for saving them. – The President’s office thanks the Israeli Defense Forces, La Shabak and the Israeli Police for completing the rescue of the Argentines Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har, writes the President in a message on X, formerly Twitter. The president’s office further writes that during his visit to Israel, Javier Milei spoke with President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the release of each of the Argentine hostages. Fear of ground invasion The citizens of Rafah were awakened by heavy bombardment which led to panic. People in the area, who Reuters spoke to via messaging services, said they feared Israel had launched a ground invasion of Rafah. AFP journalists and other witnesses in the city say that a series of loud bangs were heard and that smoke has risen over the city. Residents told Reuters that planes, tanks and warships were used in the attack. Will invade the city Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he will launch a ground invasion against Rafah. He says Israel will do this to wipe out Hamas. Norway, the EU and a number of aid organizations have warned of catastrophic consequences if the ground invasion becomes a reality. US President Joe Biden has also asked Netanyahu to protect civilians. As recently as Sunday, US President Joe Biden warned Netanyahu against carrying out a military offensive against Rafah without a plan to secure the civilian population. US President Joe Biden in a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Sunday. Photo: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN / Reuters
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