Israeli tanks are already in the center of Rafah, despite the discontent of the whole world

Israeli tanks are already in the center of Rafah/Collage 24 Channel (illustrative photo)

Israeli tanks reached the center of Rafah for the first time during the offensive on May 28, witnesses to the events reported. The IDF's ground operation in southern Gaza has been ongoing for three weeks and has drawn worldwide condemnation.

Eyewitnesses say Israeli tanks have been spotted near the Al-Awda Mosque, the central landmark of Rafah. The Israeli military says its forces remain active in the Rafah area, but has not commented on reports of advances toward the city center.

Israel launches massive strikes on the city

IDF troops continue their offensive on Rafah, the enclave they now control Hamas militants. Aviation carries out regular airstrikes on the city. The tanks advanced into the western areas and took up positions on top of Zurub Hill in western Rafah under cover of intense bombing. Residents of Rafah said that the Israeli military appeared to have brought remote-controlled armored vehicles into the offensive area.

Since the beginning of the Israeli offensive, when its troops took control of the border crossing with Egypt three weeks ago, tanks cleared the outskirts of Rafah and entered some of its eastern districts, but have not yet entered the city in full force.

World leaders have called for an International Court of Justice order to end the Israeli attack following a strike on a tent city for refugees from other parts of Gaza. Residents say the Tel Al-Sultan area, site of Sunday's deadly strike, is still under heavy bombardment.

Tank shells are falling everywhere in Tel Al-Sultan. Many families fled their homes in western Rafah under shelling throughout the night, a local resident said in a chat. About a million people fled the Israeli offensive in Rafah.

Why Israel launched the offensive and who is against

• Israel launched the operation after Hamas militants attacked southern Israeli communities on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli data.
• At the same time, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel must immediately stop the offensive against Rafah in Gaza, which is in fact led by Hamas militants.
• Israel struck a tent city in Rafah on May 26. As a result, 35 Palestinian civilians were killed, but Tel Aviv said that the target was a Hamas base where terrorists allegedly operated. In the US they say that Israel is balancing on the brink.
• At the same time, the Palestinian group Hamas from the Gaza Strip shelled the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on May 26. This attack was the first in the last 4 months.
• Spain, Ireland and Norway announced that they would recognize the Palestinian state on May 28. The United States and other major countries oppose such a solution at this stage of the conflict resolution.