At least 44 Palestinians killed in Rafah after Israeli airstrikes, including senior Hamas leaders

At least 44 Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes in Rafah early Saturday – just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said an attack on the city was inevitable and ordered a combined evacuation plan.

The main target of one of the strikes was Ahmed Al-Yaaqoubi, a senior Hamas police official, who the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet confirmed was killed in the attack, the Times of Israel reported.

Hamas military operative Iman Rantisi and another officer in Rafah’s secret police department were also killed in the attack, the IDF said.

Footage released by the Israeli Air Force purportedly showed the airstrike on the vehicle all three were traveling in.

Hundreds of thousands of Gaza’s 2.3 million people fled to the town on the border with Egypt in the past four months after they were displaced by Israel’s ground assault on other parts of the tiny region. 

Hamas previously warned of “tens of thousands” of casualties if Israel followed through on plans to attack Rafah.

Israel has struck Rafah for most of the past week, and warned those sheltering there to move north to Khan Younis, Gaza’s second largest city, which was the scene of a month-long assault by the Israeli Defense Forces in January.

Palestinians mourn relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment in Rafah. AP

Three overnight strikes on homes in Rafah killed multiple members of three families – including 10 children, the youngest of which was just 3 months old.

Hundreds of thousands of Gaza’s 2.3 million people fled to the town on the border with Egypt in the past four months after they were displaced by Israel’s ground assault on other parts of the tiny region.

Israel has struck Rafah for most of the past week, and warned those sheltering there to move north to Khan Younis, Gaza’s second largest city, which was the scene of a month-long assault by the Israeli Defense Forces.

Palestinians extinguish a burning car hit by an Israeli strike. REUTERS

Three overnight strikes on homes in Rafah killed multiple members of three families – including 10 children, the youngest of which was just 3 months old.

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry now says the Palestinian death toll is 28,064. The ministry does distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters.

Also on Saturday:

The electrical room and living quarters are allegedly directly underneath the UN agency’s complex in the Rimal area of Gaza City.

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini denied that the agency knew about the center – and claimed that Israel had not informed the UNRWA officially about the situation.

The UNRWA came under fire last month after several staffers were found to have ties to Hamas.

The operative survived the attack, but three others were killed – including one Hazbollah fighter, security sources said.

People inspect the damage to their homes following the strikes on Saturday. Getty Images

A few hours later, Hezbollah claimed that it seized an Israeli Skylark drone “in good condition.”

Meanwhile, Syrian officials claimed that they shot down Israeli missiles near the occupied Golan Heights early Saturday.

Start your day with all you need to know

Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

Thanks for signing up!

The alleged missiles marked the second similar attack in less than 24 hours.

Two women embrace amid the bombardment in southern Gaza. AFP via Getty Images

Israel is still reportedly at odds with Washington after President Biden told reporters that the military response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack was “over the top.”

Biden is now sending CIA director Bill Burns to Cairo next week for meetings with Egyptian and Qatari officials, two US and Israeli officials told Axios. The talks will aim at a deal for a ceasefire and the return of the remaining hostages taken on Oct. 7.

With Post wires