Israeli bombardment hits in Gaza's Rafah city, which Israel claims is 'secure'

RAFAH, GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE - DECEMBER 20, 2023: On Wednesday, Israeli military launched an attack on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on which it claims is 'safe'. It has been reported that there are casualties and injuries as a result of the attack. Search and rescue operations were conducted in the wreckage. The Israeli army had previously declared Khan Younis, located in the south of Gaza, a "war zone," despite claiming it was "safe." Following this decision, Israel had asked Palestinians living in or seeking refuge in Khan Younis to move further south to the Rafah area. The Israeli army continues its attacks not only in the north and center of Gaza but also in the Rafah area. Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, killing at least 19,667 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 52,586 others, according to health authorities in the enclave. Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack, while more than 130 hostages remain in captivity. (Footage by Mahdy Zourob/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)