Israeli Strikes Kill 21 in Gaza as Rafah Evacuations Falter

Overview

• Health officials in Gaza say 21 people were killed, including six children, a paramedic and a five-month-old, in strikes that hit Khan Younis, Gaza City and tent areas in Mawasi.
• The Israel Defense Forces said tanks and aircraft responded to militants who opened fire on troops near the frontier, gravely wounding a reservist and violating the truce.
• Planned medical transfers through Rafah stalled as patients in Khan Younis were told evacuations were postponed, with the Red Crescent and patient Raja’a Abu Teir reporting ambulances left waiting.
• Israel’s COGAT said the crossing is open but it has not received required coordination details from the WHO, while an Egyptian security source cited Israeli security concerns near Rafah.
• Rafah’s reopening is a core element of President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan; since the truce began, Gaza authorities report at least 530 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and Israel says militants have killed four soldiers, though some patients did cross on Tuesday.