NEW DELHI: In one of the deadliest nights since the beginning of the ongoing conflict, at least 120 Palestinians were killed in a series of intense Israeli airstrikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to local health authorities and humanitarian organizations.

The strikes, which began late Thursday and continued into the early hours of Friday, reportedly targeted multiple residential neighborhoods, displacing thousands and trapping many beneath rubble. The Gaza Ministry of Health stated that among the dead were dozens of women and children, while many others remain missing.

Witnesses described scenes of “utter devastation” as entire apartment blocks were flattened within seconds. Ambulance crews and rescue workers, already overwhelmed by weeks of continuous bombardment, struggled to respond amid ongoing air raids and destroyed roads.

Israeli Military Confirms Operation

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes early Friday morning, saying they were part of a “targeted operation” against Hamas infrastructure in Rafah, including tunnels and weapons storage sites. In a brief statement, the IDF said it had “eliminated several high-value terrorist operatives” and would continue its efforts to dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities.

However, the high civilian death toll has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organizations and global leaders. The United Nations has called for an immediate investigation, citing concerns over potential violations of international humanitarian law.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Rafah, a city near the Egyptian border, had become a refuge for hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans fleeing earlier bombardments in the north. Following the strikes, thousands more are now believed to be without shelter, food, or access to medical care.

Hospitals in southern Gaza, already strained by fuel shortages and damage to infrastructure, are operating beyond capacity. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued an urgent appeal for access to deliver aid and evacuate the wounded.

“The situation in Rafah is catastrophic. Civilians are paying the highest price in this war,” said Hala Rajeh, spokesperson for the ICRC. “Immediate steps are needed to protect them.”

International Reaction

The airstrikes have sparked outrage and condemnation from several countries, including Turkey, Qatar, and South Africa, who accused Israel of disproportionate use of force. The United States, while reiterating its support for Israel’s right to self-defense, expressed “deep concern” over the mounting civilian casualties and urged both parties to return to ceasefire negotiations.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the incident “horrifying” and demanded a cessation of hostilities, warning that Gaza was on the brink of total collapse.

Ongoing Conflict

The escalation in Rafah comes amid a broader and increasingly deadly phase of the Israel-Hamas war, now in its eighth month. More than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s health authorities, while thousands of Israelis have also died in rocket attacks and cross-border incursions.

Efforts to broker a ceasefire, led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, have so far failed to yield results, with both sides accusing each other of bad faith and violations of previous agreements.