The scene in Rafah, a southern city in the Gaza Strip, is nothing short of apocalyptic. Once home to a dense population of over two million people, the city now stands as a rubble-strewn ghost town, following Israel's military ground assault against Hamas militants which began in early May. Journalists from CBS News, along with other foreign media, recently toured the devastated area, captured by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in an effort to showcase their military gains.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered this operation despite vehement warnings from the United States and other allies, who were concerned about the welfare of civilians who had sought refuge in the city during the escalating conflict. By late May, two weeks into the operation, the United Nations estimated that around one million Palestinians had fled Rafah, many of whom had already been displaced at least once during the preceding seven months of warfare.
Producer Marwan al-Ghoul led the CBS News team, who documented the grim reality on the ground. Their visit marked the first time foreign TV crews were allowed access to the city since the assault began. The IDF facilitated the media’s transportation, orchestrating a convoy of open-top Humvees for the journey into southern Gaza.
Upon arrival, the IDF presented what they described as a "terror ecosystem"—an extensive network of underground tunnels. These tunnels were reportedly constructed by Hamas militants and connected Gaza to Egypt, serving as a crucial smuggling route. The tunnels, along with hundreds of booby-trapped houses, are part of what the IDF claims to have dismantled and destroyed. According to military officials, more than 900 militants were killed in these operations.
Hamas, which has governed Gaza for nearly 20 years, sparked the current conflict on October 7th with an unprecedented attack on Israel—killing approximately 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages. In response, Israel launched a series of retaliatory actions, aiming to eradicate the Hamas infrastructure within Gaza.
The toll on civilians has been catastrophic. Gaza's Health Ministry, run by Hamas, estimates that nearly 38,000 people, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives as a result of the ongoing conflict. The infrastructure of Gaza has been decimated, leaving its 2.3 million residents without essential services and homes.
The pervasive devastation in Rafah has left it almost entirely deserted. CBS News captured images that starkly illustrate the scale of destruction: empty aid trucks, IDF forces, stray animals, and rubble. The remnants of buildings and infrastructure evoke comparisons to the war-ravaged cities of Mosul and Raqqa during the Syrian conflict against ISIS in 2017.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesperson for the IDF, addressed the journalists amid the ruins, emphasizing that the military's mission in Rafah was far from complete. His statement underscores the disconnect between the prolonged nature of this conflict and the initial objectives outlined by Netanyahu. The Prime Minister had initially vowed to destroy Hamas entirely, but experts and some military officials now believe that such an objective may be neither feasible nor achievable in the near term.
Despite the sustained assault, key Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, remain elusive. This situation has led to a burgeoning debate within Israel about the war's strategic goals and the potential necessity for a ceasefire. Anonymous Israeli commanders recently expressed concerns to The New York Times about shortages in ammunition and the strain of potentially facing a dual-front conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Netanyahu has firmly dismissed these reports, reiterating his commitment to continue operations until all stated objectives—including the release of hostages and the complete destruction of Hamas—are met.
The catastrophic fallout in Rafah and the broader Gaza Strip, however, raises profound questions about the human cost and the long-term viability of such military commitments. As media coverage exposes the massive scale of destruction and civilian suffering, the international community is left to grapple with the tragic reality that peace and stability in the region remain distant prospects.
On a recent tour of what was once a bustling city center, one can't help but feel a profound sense of loss and despair. The skeletal remains of buildings stand as silent witnesses to the chaos that decimated lives and redefined futures. As the IDF continues its operations, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can finally bring peace to a region that has long been a crucible of conflict.
As we ponder the ruins of Rafah, it's clear that the path to recovery and reconciliation is fraught with challenges. The looming question remains: can decades of distrust and violence be healed, or will the cycle of conflict continue to haunt future generations? Only time will tell, and the people of Gaza can only hope for a brighter, more peaceful tomorrow.
