In a rare glimpse into the city of Rafah, southern Gaza, NBC News reporters witnessed the devastating aftermath of the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants. Guided by troops from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the reporters captured firsthand footage of homes reduced to rubble, buildings destroyed, and sporadic gunfire echoing through the deserted streets.

Due to Israel's restrictions on independent foreign journalists' entry into Gaza, NBC News negotiated access through the Kerem Shalom border crossing, accompanied by the IDF. The reporters agreed to share raw video footage and blurred the faces of junior soldiers. The written report was not shared with the IDF.

Traveling along the Philadelphi Corridor, the southern border between Gaza and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, the convoy observed the desolation surrounding Rafah. The city, once vibrant with over a million residents, has now been virtually emptied and transformed into a ghost town. The remaining buildings bear the scars of small-arms fire and artillery hits.

According to IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, parts of Rafah conceal a network of tunnels, some of which were discovered with booby traps. He mentioned that the tunnels extended beneath houses, requiring careful examination and demolition procedures.

The Israeli military, marking the third phase of its operations in Gaza, launched fresh operations in the north aimed at targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives. The IDF claimed to have intelligence indicating the presence of "terrorist infrastructure, operatives, weapons, and investigation and detention rooms," including in the UNRWA headquarters. However, NBC News was unable to independently verify these claims, and UNRWA denied any knowledge of attacks on their facilities.

The resurgence of Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives in areas previously cleared by the IDF raises concerns about the effectiveness of Israel's mission to eliminate their presence in Gaza. Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had set this as a goal alongside securing the release of hostages, the U.S. warned that complete eradication of Hamas from Gaza would be challenging.

Health officials in Gaza have reported a staggering death toll since Hamas' attacks on October 7, with over 38,000 people killed. Israel claimed that around 1,200 individuals were killed during this time, while approximately 250 others were taken hostage.

As the conflict in Gaza rages on, the city of Rafah and its residents continue to suffer unimaginable destruction and violence. The world watches anxiously, hoping for a resolution to bring an end to the bloodshed and restore peace to this war-torn region.

Reported by Matt Bradley from Rafah and Chantal Da Silva from London.