New Delhi: Israeli tanks were spotted in central Rafah on Tuesday for the first time since the military commenced its operations in the southernmost city of Gaza earlier this month. This development, reported by two eyewitnesses to CNN, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing offensive despite growing international pressure on Israel to cease its assault.Tanks arrive after a deadly strike on RafahThe arrival of tanks follows a deadly strike on a Rafah camp on Sunday that killed dozens of displaced Palestinians. Despite global calls for a halt, Israeli airstrikes over the past two days have continued, forcing more people to flee. On Tuesday, two additional strikes in Rafah resulted in at least 29 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza authorities. The first strike hit a displacement camp just 150 meters from Sundays attack site, while the second targeted a camp in Al-Mawasi, a designated “safe zone” by Israel where thousands had been ordered to evacuate.Strikes have not breached a threshold to reconsider US supportIsrael has denied targeting a humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi. Meanwhile, the United States, a staunch ally of Israel, maintains its current policy. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed on Tuesday that President Joe Biden has not altered his stance, indicating the strikes had not yet crossed a threshold to reconsider American support. Earlier this month, Biden stated in a CNN interview that he would not permit certain US weapons to be used in a major offensive in Rafah. His administration has cautioned against a large-scale ground invasion unless civilian safety can be assured.Over 1 million people have sought refuge in RafahBefore the Israeli operation in Rafah began, approximately 1.3 million Palestinians had sought refuge there, fleeing other parts of Gaza since the conflict erupted seven months ago. According to UN figures, around 1 million have since fled Rafah. Israels deeper incursion into Rafah continues despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering an immediate halt to its military operations. The UN and some of Israels European allies have called for adherence to the ICJs binding order.Scenes of displacement and desperationIn Khan Younis, north of Rafah, evacuees spoke to CNN about their desperate attempts to find safety as they move toward Deir El-Balah in central Gaza. Footage shows vehicles and donkey carts laden with mattresses, wooden panels, chairs, and other belongings. “Whats happening now, whether in Rafah, Khan Younis, or Gaza in general, is the disastrous displacement of people. There is no shelter, no life, no future,” said Ansar Mahdi, a Palestinian displaced four times. Mohamed Jarbou, moving with the aid of crutches, lamented, “The elderly have been humiliated. Children humiliated. Whats wrong They are all civilians.”Video of Israeli shooting rentrance on Rafaf surfaced onlineSharing the video which is apparently taken by an Israeli soldier from a tank, a user wrote on X, First visuals showing Israeli forces at the center of Rafah city. Heavy Gunfire can still be heard in the background.pic.twitter.com/qg6Oj7ufaL— Mayank Kasyap (@kasyap_mayank) May 29, 2024Eyewitness accountsIn Rafah, Alaa Abu Ibrahim reported seeing Israeli tanks at the Al Awda roundabout in the city center. Another resident, Salma AlKadoomi, confirmed sightings of armored vehicles in the downtown area, stating, “These vehicles advanced in the middle of the night.”
