Israeli bombardment leaves dozens dead across Gaza amid fierce clashes

Witnesses report close-quarter combat between Hamas fighters and IDF troops

Mourners next to the body of a Palestinian killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza City yesterday. Photo: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters

Nidal al-Mughrabi

Israeli forces pounded Rafah in southern Gaza yesterday, as well as other areas across the enclave, killing at least 32 Palestinians as troops engaged in close-quarter combat with Hamas militants, residents and Israel's military said.

Residents said the Israelis appeared to by trying to complete their capture of Rafah, the city on the enclave’s southern edge that has been the focus of an Israeli assault since early May.