Israeli air strikes have killed at least 35 Palestinians and wounded dozens in an area in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah designated for the displaced, Palestinian health and civil emergency service officials say. Health ministry spokesman in Hamas-run Gaza, Ashraf Al-Qidra, said most of the injured were women and children. Gazan authorities and medics say the displacement camp had been designated by Israel as a “safe zone”.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was convening his war cabinet later on Sunday to discuss continued operations in Rafah. Israel argues that the International Court of Justice ruling allows room for some military action there. Israel says it wants to root out Hamas fighters holed up in Rafah and rescue hostages it says are being held in the area. But its assault has worsened the plight of civilians and caused an international outcry.