Israel says its operation in Rafah is ‘limited’. Fighting there has left parts of it unrecognizable

CNN witnessed significant destruction in Rafah, from flattened homes to bombed-out buildings. Jeremy Diamond/CNN

 Israel's military operation in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, has intensified, despite being described as "limited." The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a series of airstrikes, targeting Hamas militants and infrastructure while aiming to pressure the group into accepting Israel's terms for a ceasefire. This escalation follows a recent ceasefire agreement proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which Israel found inadequate.

The operation has had devastating impacts on Rafah, leaving large parts of the city unrecognizable. The United Nations reported that around 360,000 Palestinians have fled the city, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. With around 1.1 million people already displaced within Gaza, the situation in Rafah is dire, with residents facing shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

The Biden administration has expressed concerns over the operation, particularly regarding civilian casualties and the overall humanitarian impact. Despite these concerns, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the military actions will continue to achieve Israel's objectives, which include the release of hostages and the dismantling of Hamas' military capabilities.

Israeli officials claim they are taking measures to protect civilians, such as designating safe zones and providing humanitarian aid. However, the effectiveness and accessibility of these measures remain in question as fighting continues.

This operation marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict, reflecting the complexities and challenges of achieving a lasting resolution. The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to mediate a ceasefire and address the humanitarian needs of the affected population​.

Thick clouds of dirt and sand filled the air as our convoy of Humvees arrived in Rafah. This was the first-time international reporters were allowed in since the Israeli military began its ground assault on the city two months ago. 
As the dust settled, the scale of destruction was shocking but familiar. Once a refuge for over a million Palestinians during the war, this part of Rafah is now completely unrecognizable. 
Israeli soldiers accompanied us, offering a stark view of the aftermath, from flattened homes to bombed-out buildings.

Israel has called its ground operation in Rafah "limited," but the destruction seen there is similar to that in other parts of Gaza. In southern Rafah, homes are flattened, and buildings are bombed out. According to Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the IDF's spokesperson, this devastation occurred because the area was heavily booby-trapped, and tunnels were also rigged with explosives. When pressed about the extent of the operation, Hagari explained that destruction resulted from necessary actions to ensure the safety of Israeli forces facing threats from Hamas. Other areas of Rafah are less damaged, according to Israeli officials. However, CNN cannot verify this independently as foreign journalists are barred from entering Gaza on their own, and access is only possible through Israeli military escorts. The military took us to the most devastated section of Rafah to explain why they initiated the offensive, what they discovered, and what they have achieved.

Before entering Rafah, we traveled along the Gaza-Egypt border through the Philadelphi corridor. The Israeli military, which has seized this area, claims to have uncovered numerous tunnel shafts and rocket launchers used to fire into Israel. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari showed us one tunnel that extended about 90 feet underground. According to the military, Hamas has used the corridor to smuggle weapons from Egypt into Gaza. While some tunnels stretch towards Egypt, it’s unclear if they are functional. Egypt denies any tunnels from Gaza into its territory. Hagari noted that the military is investigating these tunnels to determine their functionality. The duration of the Israeli occupation of this corridor could last weeks or months.

CNN witnessed significant destruction in Rafah, from flattened homes to
bombed-out buildings. Jeremy Diamond/CNN

Hagari mentioned that Israeli forces have killed over 900 Hamas fighters in Rafah and are nearing the defeat of Hamas's Rafah brigade. However, it's unclear how many militants have escaped and might regroup after Israeli forces leave. Without a long-term strategy or an alternative to Hamas governance in Gaza, Hamas has already begun regrouping in other areas. Hagari couldn't confirm if the Rafah operation would be the last in Gaza, indicating that future operations could occur based on intelligence about hostages or imminent threats from Hamas.

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