Israeli Airstrike Leaves Residents of Gaza Strip Frustrated and Exhausted

Residents of the Gaza Strip have been left frustrated and exhausted after an Israeli airstrike destroyed a residential neighborhood in the city of Rafah. Emilee Rauschenberger, who was visiting family in Khan Yunis, said she and her family had to wait for at least 10 hours at the Rafah crossing before having to return to Khan Yunis.

The airstrike left a scene of devastation, with CBS News cameras arriving just moments after the strike razed several houses to the ground. Our video shows children among those being pulled from the rubble of the airstrike on the southern half of the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s military had told Palestinian civilians to evacuate last week as it ramped up operations across northern Gaza that it said was aimed at stopping rocket fire from Hamas. Crowds of people could be seen standing and sitting by the crossing surrounded by luggage, with some people even sleeping by it in hopes of it opening.

Rauschenberger said of the scene at Rafah crossing, “People are again, just waiting around frustrated and exhausted.” She added, “We’re not going to have electricity for the rest of the night.” The airstrike has left many residents of the Gaza Strip feeling helpless and exhausted.