On May 26, Israeli airstrikes targeted a tent camp in Rafah, southern Gaza, killing 45 Palestinians. Rafah has faced significant bombardment, leading to nearly one million people fleeing the area over the past three weeks, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). International condemnation followed the strike, with world leaders calling for thorough investigations.

The Israeli military described the attack as targeting a Hamas compound, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeled it a "tragic accident." Despite an International Court of Justice order to halt military operations in Rafah, Israeli forces continued their assault, with residents reporting severe bombardments and ground incursions.

Various international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, have called for cease-fires and investigations into the incident. UNRWA and other aid organizations reported severe hardships for residents due to the ongoing conflict, with UN agencies citing the challenges of providing humanitarian assistance under such conditions.

The conflict, primarily focused on dismantling Hamas, has caused substantial civilian casualties, with Gaza's Health Ministry reporting over 36,000 Palestinian deaths since the escalation began.