London, England – Dozens have been reported dead or injured as a blast devastates a refugee camp in the Rafah area, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The incident has resulted in a tragic loss of life and widespread destruction in the southern Gaza Strip.

Videos captured at the scene show a massive explosion and intense fires raging, underscoring the severity of the situation. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has claimed responsibility for targeting two senior Hamas leaders at a compound, pledging to investigate reports that the fire spread to shelters, causing harm to civilians.

The strike occurred shortly after Hamas launched a series of rockets from Rafah towards Tel Aviv, marking the first long-range attacks on the city since January. In a statement following the explosion in Gaza, the IDF announced the elimination of two senior Hamas figures, Yassin Rabia and Khaled Nagar, through a precise airstrike in north-west Rafah.

Hamas authorities have confirmed that the casualties occurred at a camp for displaced Palestinians, emphasizing that women and children are among the deceased. Rescue efforts are ongoing in Rafah’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, with the death toll expected to rise as search operations continue.

Eyewitnesses have described the harrowing scenes in Tal Al-Sultan, with one individual recounting witnessing a missile strike followed by a chaotic aftermath of smoke and devastation. Another witness mentioned the tragic discovery of a girl and a young man who had been fatally injured in the blast.

The rocket barrage launched by Hamas represents the ongoing threat the group poses to Israel, highlighting the challenges faced by the Israeli army as they intensify efforts to remove Hamas from what is deemed their “last major stronghold” in southern Gaza.

As tensions escalate, further ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas are set to resume in the coming week. These talks aim to address the ongoing conflict and address the hostage situation involving Israeli captives. Over 800,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah since the onset of the offensive, a grim reminder of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

The military campaign in Gaza stems from previous attacks by Hamas-led gunmen, which resulted in significant casualties and a concerning number of individuals taken as hostages. The toll of the conflict continues to rise, with thousands of Palestinians losing their lives and the region gripped by ongoing violence and instability.