New satellite images have revealed the presence of large craters in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, following Israeli airstrikes. Shockingly, some of these craters are located a mere 130m (426ft) away from rows of tents, where many people displaced by the war are currently seeking shelter.

According to the analysis conducted by BBC Verify, the craters can be seen near the site of an operation carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on 12 February. This operation was undertaken after two hostages were successfully rescued in an Israeli raid. The district of Rafah where the operation took place is home to numerous plastic greenhouses, several of which, along with nearby buildings, have been destroyed.

The latest satellite images raise serious concerns about the proximity of the strikes to areas housing people who have been forced to leave their homes. It has been noted that Israel has repeatedly urged Palestinians living in north and central Gaza to relocate to safer regions in the south, but unfortunately, the fighting has now reached these very areas.

The IDF has stated that their targets are Hamas fighters who operate in these regions. The population of Rafah has reportedly increased five-fold since the October Hamas attacks, with an estimated 1.5 million people now residing there. As a result, vast areas of the city have been filled with tents, even blocking a main highway that runs through Rafah.

In addition to Rafah, satellite imagery has also revealed an increase in the number of temporary camps in the nearby Al-Mawasi area. Al-Mawasi, a narrow strip of land located near the Mediterranean Sea in southern Gaza, saw a considerable rise in the number of tents over the past few weeks. Israeli authorities had previously instructed people to seek shelter in this area during the initial stages of the war in Gaza.

It is concerning to observe that what was once an empty area in the east of Al-Mawasi is now filled with tents, highlighting the growing displacement crisis faced by Palestinians in the region.

These satellite images come as a stark reminder of the dire situation and the grave impact that ongoing military operations are having on the lives and safety of the displaced population. Efforts must be made to ensure the protection and well-being of those affected, as the conflict continues to ravage the region.