(8 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
++EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS IMAGES OF WOUNDED CHILDREN++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rafah, Gaza Strip – 08 May 2024
1. People running toward building that was allegedly hit by tank shelling
2. Various of people running as they carry injured children to hospital
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) No name provided:
"We were walking, and a shell landed on us. We are in the centre of Rafah, neither in the east nor in the west, neither by the sea nor in the east, in the middle of Rafah. The artillery hit us, and a belt of fire and missiles targeted us today, and with your eyes you saw them all children, no one was military or had anything to do with a political party.”
4. Various of children receiving first aid inside hospital
5. Injured man lying on hospital floor
STORYLINE:
Several Palestinian children were taken to hospital with injuries in Rafah on Wednesday as Israel’s army continues its military operation in the southern Gaza city.
A man said residents were hit by shelling.
"We were walking, and a shell landed on us. We are in the central of Rafah, neither in the east nor in the west, neither by the sea nor in the east, in the middle of Rafah. The artillery hit us,” he said.
"With your eyes you saw them all children, no one was military or had anything to do with a political party,” he added.
Shortly after, an Associated Press journalist at the city’s Kuwaiti hospital saw several injured children arrive at the medical facility.
It is unclear if there were any fatalities.
The Israeli army did not respond to requests for comment.
The alleged tank shelling took place in an area of Rafah that the Israeli forces did not request to evacuate.
Around 1.3 million Palestinians are crammed into Rafah, most of whom fled fighting elsewhere.
Israel says Rafah is Hamas’ last stronghold and that a wider offensive there is needed to dismantle the group’s military and governing capabilities.
Israel this week launched what it says is a “targeted” operation on the city that has included taking over the Palestinian side of a key border crossing.
The war in Gaza has driven around 80% of the territory’s population of 2.3 million from their homes and caused vast destruction to apartments, hospitals, mosques and schools across several cities.
The death toll in Gaza has soared to more than 34,500 people, according to local health officials.
The war began Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others.
Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
AP video shot by Ismael Abu Dayyah
Production by Wafaa Shurafa
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