Israel counter-attacks Hamas with airstrike in Rafah

Israel fires airstrike against Rafah to counter-attack Hamas, according to Arab News and agencies on May 6th .
On May 5th, the militant group claimed responsibility for the Kerem Shalom attack, which caused the death of three Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces reported that 10 projectiles were fired from Rafah, in southern Gaza, towards the crossing area, causing aid trucks to stall on their way to the enclave.
Following the attack, an Israeli counteroffensive struck a house in southern Gaza, killing three people and wounding many others.
Nevertheless, Israel claims to have attacked the launcher that fired the 10 Hamas projectiles.
“The launches carried out by Hamas adjacent to the Rafah Crossing … are a clear example of the terrorist organisation’s systematic exploitation of humanitarian facilities and spaces, and their continued use of the Gazan civilian population as human shields,” it stated.
However, Hamas rejected the claims.
READ: At least 13 dead in latest strikes on Rafah
Another Israeli offensive carried out on the night of May 5th killed nine civilians, adding 19 more deaths to the war toll in one day.
Rafah is currently home to more than 1.3 million Palestinians who, displaced by the war, live now crammed in the city.
On May 3rd, the UN raised concerns about the dangers of an Israeli raid in Rafah, claiming “It could be a slaughter of civilians and an incredible blow to the humanitarian operation in the entire strip because it is run primarily out of Rafah.”
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, started by the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, has now killed more than 34,600 Palestinians, 29 of whom were killed in the last 24 hours.
Arab News and agencies