By Natalia Rueda 
The escalation of violence between Israel and the militant group Hamas has reached a critical point with the recent airstrike on the Gaza Strip city of Rafah. During the night of Monday, February 11, more than 50 people were confirmed dead, mostly innocent civilians, including children. The Israeli military has justified its involvement in the attack as a measure to rescue two Israeli hostages held by Hamas. However, the scale of the destruction and the human cost have raised international concern.
The situation in Rafah, a city with a population of 1.4 million, is particularly precarious for the civilians residing there. Any military operation in this area could have a catastrophic impact on the civilian population. This has prompted calls for a ceasefire and a peaceful solution from world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, who in a phone call warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the importance of protecting the innocent. Hours after this call, the attack occurred.
Despite international appeals, the Israeli government has made it clear that it is still considering a possible ground offensive in Rafah. This has led to fears that the violence will only worsen and cause more death and suffering among the population.
Since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, more than 28,100 people have lost their lives in Gaza. This number continues to rise due to the ongoing violence and demonstrates the urgent need to reach a peaceful and lasting solution to end this human tragedy.
With information from EFE