Israel Presses Assault in Gaza After Deadly Airstrike

Jerusalem, March 21, 2024 (AP)

Israeli Ground Offensive Nears Hamas Stronghold

Israeli ground forces were battling deeper into Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, on Saturday, according to three Israeli officials, a day after a deadly airstrike killed dozens of people in the area.

The Israeli military said the airstrike targeted a Hamas training facility, but witnesses said many of the victims were civilians. The Israeli military has launched a massive ground offensive in Gaza in response to rocket attacks by Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the territory.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza to let in aid. The ICJ also said that Israel must provide access for investigators to the area where the airstrike took place.

The Israeli government has said it is committed to finding out what happened in Rafah but has not said whether it will comply with the ICJ's order. The airstrike has drawn international condemnation, with the United Nations calling it a "war crime."

The Israeli military has said it is investigating the incident. The Israeli government has also said it is determined to continue its operation in Gaza until Hamas stops firing rockets into Israel.

Conclusion

The fighting in Gaza is the deadliest since the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas. The airstrike on Rafah has raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict. The international community is calling for a ceasefire, but it is unclear whether either side is willing to agree.