Hamas Calls Israel's Attack On Rafah Killing More Than 100 People A Terrible Massacre

Israeli military land operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned what they called the "terrible killing" by Israel against civilians in Rafah on Monday, after the country's military confirmed it carried out an attack on the city in southern Gaza.

"The horrific killings carried out against helpless civilians and children, women and abandoned parents are considered a continuation of the genocide war and forced transfer efforts carried out against the Palestinian people," Hamas said.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Monday said the death toll from the attack had increased by more than 100, with many casualties still trapped below the rubble, leaving the death toll to continue to grow.

Meanwhile, the number of injured victims as a result of the attack reached more than 230 people, with the majority of the victims being children and women, citing TASS from Al Mayadeen.

In his statement, Hamas also accused United States President Joe Biden and his administration of bearing "full responsibility" for the deaths of civilians.

Israel's attack on Rafah came a day after President Biden made a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming his stance that the Israeli military should not continue ground attacks on the Rafah "without credible and executable plans" to ensure the safety of civilians.

As previously reported, a joint operation by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel's domestic security service Shin Bet and the Special Police Unit in Rafah released Fernando Simon Marman (60) and Louis Hare (70) Israeli military said. The military said the two were kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, in good condition and taken to the Tel Hashomer Medical Complex (Sheba Medical Center).

Joint operations by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel's domestic security service Shin Bet and the Special Police Unit in Rafah released Fernando Simon Marman (60) and Louis Hare (70) Israeli military said. The military said the two were kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, in good condition and taken to the Tel Hashomer Medical Complex (Sheba Medical Center).

"It was a very complex operation," said Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht.

The hostages were detained on the second floor of a building that was burglarized with explosives during the raid, which caused heavy gunfire with surrounding buildings, Hecht said.

"We have been preparing this operation for a long time. We are waiting for the right conditions," he continued.

At the same time, he continued, airstrikes were carried out to allow troops to be withdrawn from the site of operation.