View source for 2004 Israeli operation in Rafah

{{Short description|Military offensive in the Gaza strip}}
{{For|the 2014 Syrian offensive|Operation Rainbow (Syrian Civil War)}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict=Operation Rainbow
|partof=the [[Second Intifada]]
|image=Gaza conflict map.png
|image_size=300px
|caption=Area of the conflict
|date=12 May – 1 June 2004<br>({{Age in weeks and days|2004|5|12|2004|6|1}})
|place=[[Gaza Strip]]
|casus= To destroy the launching sites of [[Qassam rocket]]s targeting the Israeli town of [[Sderot]], to destroy smuggling tunnels beneath the [[Philadelphie Route]] and to create secure conditions for IDF troops on the border
|result= Israeli withdrawal
|combatant1={{flagcountry|Israel}} ([[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]])
|combatant2= {{flag|Hamas}}<br />{{flag|Palestinian Islamic Jihad|Islamic Jihad}}<br />{{flag|Popular Resistance Committees}}
|commander1= Brig. Gen. Shmuel Zakkai
|commander2= Unknown 
|strength1=
|strength2=
|casualties1= 13 soldiers killed<ref name="haaretz.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/2014-07-20/ty-article/.premium/soldiers-killed-in-gaza-were-deployed-in-50-year-old-apc/0000017f-dc5b-d3ff-a7ff-fdfb05690000|title=Soldiers Killed in Gaza Were Deployed in 50-year-old APC|newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref><ref name=Razing_Rafah_Map5-intro/>
|casualties2= 53–55 Palestinians killed <br> '''Combatants:''' 41 killed (IDF claim<ref name="imra.org.il">[http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=20933 Sunday, May 23, 2004 Briefing - Gaza Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Shmuel Zakai. IDF SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCEMENT 23 May 2004] reprinted at IMRA</ref><ref name="Ynet">[http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-2918268,00.html Ynet] (Hebrew), quote: 21:00: אחרוני הכוחות פינו את רפיח. מפקד אוגדת עזה הבהיר: אולי בעתיד תרחיב את הפעילות. לדבריו, במהלך המבצע נהרגו 41 מחבלים ו-12 אזרחים, 7 מהם בהפגזה בחתונה "ואת היתר אולי הרגו הפלסטינים".</ref>), 12 (Palestinians claim) <br> '''Civilians:''' 12 (IDF claim), 43 (Palestinians claim)
}}
{{Campaignbox Second Intifada}}

In 2004, the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) launched '''Operation Rainbow in Cloud''' ({{Langx|he|מבצע קשת בענן|translit=Mivtza Keshet Be-Anan}}) in the southern [[Gaza Strip]] on 12–24 May 2004, involving an [[invasion]] and [[siege]] of [[Rafah]]. The operation was started after the deaths of eleven Israeli soldiers in two Palestinian attacks, in which M113 armored vehicles were attacked.<ref name="haaretz.com" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://normanfinkelstein.com/2014/07/21/in-praise-of-m113-armored-personnel-carriers/|title=IN PRAISE OF M113 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS}}</ref>

[[Human Rights Watch]] reported 59 Palestinians killed during 12–24 May, including 11 under age eighteen and 18 armed men. The IDF razed some 300 homes to expand the buffer zone along the [[Egypt–Gaza border]], expanding it far inside the Gaza Strip. Also, a zoo and at least 700 [[dunam]]s (70 ha) of agricultural land were destroyed.

[[Israel]]'s declared aims of ''Operation Rainbow'' were finding and destroying [[Gaza Strip smuggling tunnels|smuggling tunnels]], targeting terrorists, and securing the [[Philadelphi Route]] by expanding the buffer zone.

==Background==
In response to a repeated shelling of Israeli communities with [[Qassam rocket]]s and mortar shells from Gaza, the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] operated mainly in [[Rafah]] – to [[search and destroy]] [[smuggling tunnel]]s used by militants to obtain weapons, ammunition, fugitives, cigarettes, car parts, electrical goods, foreign currency, gold, drugs, and cloth from [[Egypt]]. The IDF launched a series of armored raids on the Gaza Strip (mainly [[Rafah]] and refugee camps around [[Gaza City|Gaza]]). On 22 March 2004, an Israeli helicopter gunship killed Hamas leader Sheikh [[Ahmed Yassin]] and on 17 April, [[Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi]] was killed by IDF [[Attack helicopter|helicopter gunship]] strike.

=== Buffer zone ===
Since 2001, the IDF has routinely [[House demolition in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict|demolished Palestinian houses]] in Rafah, to create a [[buffer zone]]. Persons entering or approaching the buffer zone, including humanitarian workers, foreign dignitaries and UN observers came under fire. Until 2000, the IDF used a 20–40 meter wide buffer zone along the Gaza/Egypt border with a 2.5 to 3 meters high concrete wall topped with barbed wire. In 2002, the IDF destroyed hundreds of houses in Rafah, needed for expansion of the buffer zone and the building of an eight meter high and 1.6 kilometers long metal wall along the border. The wall also extends two meters underground. The wall is built some eighty to ninety meters from the border, which doubled the width of the patrol corridor. After the metal wall was completed in early 2003, the demolitions continued and were even increased dramatically. According to Human Rights Watch, the wall was built far inside the demolished area to create a new starting point for justifying further demolitions.<ref name="Razing_Rafah">[https://web.archive.org/web/20060325230545/http://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/rafah1004/rafah1004text.pdf ''Razing Rafah — Mass Home Demolitions in the Gaza Strip''] (PDF text version) on [https://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2004/10/17/razing-rafah], [https://web.archive.org/web/20060324012233/http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/gaza/ Summary:]. [http://www.refworld.org/docid/45d171362.html ''The report on refworld:'']. Human Rights Watch, 18 October 2004</ref> Between 1 April 2003 and 30 April 2004, 487 more houses were demolished in Rafah.<ref name="Uprooting">PCHR, [http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/Reports/English/uprooting%20_trees%20_10.pdf ''Uprooting Palestinian Trees And Leveling Agricultural Land – The tenth Report on Israeli Land Sweeping and Demolition of Palestinian Buildings and Facilities in the Gaza Strip 1 April 2003 – 30 April 2004''] On [http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2675:the-tenth-report-on-israeli-land-sweeping-and-demolition-of-palestinian-buildings-and-facilities-in-the-gaza-strip-1-april-2003-30-april2004&catid=43:pchrdemolitionlandsweeping&Itemid=187] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002111241/http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2675:the-tenth-report-on-israeli-land-sweeping-and-demolition-of-palestinian-buildings-and-facilities-in-the-gaza-strip-1-april-2003-30-april2004&catid=43:pchrdemolitionlandsweeping&Itemid=187|date=2013-10-02}}</ref>

In May 2004, the Israeli government approved a plan to further expand the buffer zone. The Israeli military recommended demolishing all homes within three hundred meters of its positions, or about four hundred meters from the border.

Human rights group PCHR recorded 290 destroyed houses in Rafah in May 2004.<ref name=Razing_Rafah_Map5-intro/> According to UNWRA, the total number of house buildings destroyed by the IDF in May 2004 was some 298. 131 homes were destroyed between 1 and 10 May, already before the Government's decision; some 100 houses between 14 and 16 May<ref name=UNWRA_appeal/> (Human Rights Watch mentions several rows of houses on 12 May and quotes 88 to 116 between 14 and 16 May).<ref name=Razing_Rafah_Map5-intro>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060324185125/https://hrw.org/reports/2004/rafah1004/11.htm ''Razing Rafah''], par. ''Map 5 : IDF Operations in Rafah May 2004'', alineas 2-3, note 183. HRW, 18 October 2004</ref>

According to HRW, the IDF's justifications for the destruction were doubtful and rather consistent with the goal of having a wide and empty border area to facilitate long-term control over the Gaza Strip.<ref name=Razing_Rafah/>

== Aims of the operation ==

Initially, the operation just started as a response on the death of five soldiers in the Philadelphi corridor on 12 May 2004; on 13 May, the Israeli government reportedly approved a plan to widen the [[Philadelphi Route]] by destroying "dozens or perhaps hundreds" of homes.<ref name=Justifications>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060324185125/https://hrw.org/reports/2004/rafah1004/11.htm ''Razing Rafah''], par. ''Map 5 : IDF Operations in Rafah May 2004'', ''Box 3 — Destruction in Rafah: Shifting Justifications'' + last alinea. HRW, 18 October 2004</ref>

On 17 May, the IDF launched "Operation Rainbow" with the objectives: finding and destroying smuggling tunnels, targeting "terrorists", and securing the Philadelphi Route. On 18 May, rumours were spread about arms shipments in the Sinai from Iran, waiting to be smuggled through the tunnels into Gaza. Israeli media mentioned anti-aircraft missiles and long-range rockets waiting to get in, possibly via tunnels underneath the Suez canal. Justice Minister [[Tommy Lapid|Yosef Lapid]] said on 20 May that the Rafah operation was necessary to protect Israeli civilian airliners from anti-aircraft missiles that smugglers were attempting to bring into Rafah. No captures of such weapons are known, and a high-ranking Egyptian official interviewed by Human Rights Watch denied the existence of the shipment.<ref name=Justifications/>

Many saw the assault on Rafah as excessive, and mainly motivated by an IDF desire to appear strong in the event of [[Israel's unilateral disengagement plan|disengagement]].

==The operation==
=== Preceding military actions ===
On May 11 and May 12, two M-113 armoured personnel carriers, one of Givati's Dolev combat engineering company and of the Combat Engineering Corps "Tunnels' Team", were destroyed by Palestinian militants. The two separate attacks, in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood and the Philadelphi Route near Rafah and the Egyptian border, claimed the lives of 11 IDF soldiers. Soon, Israeli troops entered the buffer zone to recover body parts of the dead soldiers. In the evening, the IDF attacked Rafah with tanks and [[helicopter gunship]]s, firing shells and missiles as residents fled. Several rows of houses were demolished.<ref name=Razing_Rafah_Map5-intro/>

[[File:CAT D9R-3.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]] [[Bulldozer]] as used by the IDF to demolish homes]]
On 14 May, a large IDF force entered the "[[Al-Brazil|Brazil block]]" of Rafah and in a heavy fighting, as reported by [[UNWRA]], 12 Palestinians were killed and 52 injured. Israeli forces began demolishing houses in the Qishta neighborhood. and destroyed scores of houses.<ref name=Razing_Rafah/><ref name=UNWRA_appeal>[http://www.unrwa.org/userfiles/2010011813024.pdf ''Supplementary Appeal for Rafah'']. UNWRA, May 2004</ref> Around midnight the same day, the [[Israeli High Court of Justice]] issued an interim order temporarily barring the IDF from demolishing homes in the refugee camp, if the action was not part of "a regular military operation".<ref name=Haaretz_HC>[http://www.haaretz.com/news/high-court-to-renew-debate-on-idf-house-demolitions-in-rafah-1.122438 ''High Court to renew debate on IDF house demolitions in Rafah'']. Haaretz, 14 May 2004</ref>  Nevertheless, the IDF continued the destruction of homes until 15 May 5:00 am because of "immediate military necessity, a risk to soldiers, or a hindrance to a military operation",<ref name=Justifications/> raising the number of destroyed houses to just over 100,<ref name=UNWRA_appeal/> according to Mezan, even to circa 120.<ref name=Mezan-report_180704/>

On 16 May, the High Court ruled that the IDF may destroy homes according to their needs; the IDF had pledged that it would refrain from unnecessarily demolishing houses.<ref name=Haaretz_HC-ruling>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040604132050/http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/427997.html ''Court rejects petition to prevent further Rafah demolitions'']. Haaretz, 16 May 2004. On web.archive.org/<br />''The three-member High Court panel said that the IDF was entitled to carry out such demolitions along the Philadelphi route for security reasons, "according to operational needs" or if the military determined that soldiers' lives were in danger.''</ref> The ruling caused panic among the residents and hundreds of Palestinians fled from their homes.<ref name=Mezan-report_180704/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040607211453/http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=7387 ''Rafah residents flee their homes'']. Maariv, 16 May 2004. On web.archive.org/</ref> Israeli helicopters fired missiles on the office of the weekly newspaper ''al-Resala'' in Gaza City, destroying its offices.<ref>[http://service.cms.apa.at/cms/ipi/publications_detail.html?ctxid=CH0057&docid=CMS1141809995024 ''Press Freedom Violations in Israel and Palestine from 29 September 2000 to 28 September 2004''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203114/http://service.cms.apa.at/cms/ipi/publications_detail.html?ctxid=CH0057&docid=CMS1141809995024 |date=29 October 2013 }}, 2004 Overview (Issued in September 2004)</ref> The next day, Israel started ''"Operation Rainbow"''.

===Operation Rainbow===
In the morning of 17 May 2004, the Israel army launched "Operation Rainbow". At 1 pm, the IDF closed the only road between Rafah and Khan Yunis and initiated a total siege.<ref name="Mezan-report_180704">[http://www.mezan.org/upload/2629.pdf "Operation Rainbow—A Report on Human Rights Violations Perpetrated by the Israeli Occupation Forces in Rafah From 18 to 24 May"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201058/http://www.mezan.org/upload/2629.pdf|date=2013-10-29}}; on [http://www.mezan.org/en/details.php?id=2629] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201622/http://www.mezan.org/en/details.php?id=2629|date=2013-10-29}}. Al Mezan Center For Human Rights, 18 July 2004</ref> Armoured vehicles, main battle tanks and [[armoured bulldozer]]s entered Rafah from the east through the Sofa Crossing, effectively cutting off Rafah from the rest of the Gaza Strip.

The next day before dawn, the army surrounded [[Tel al-Sultan]]. Armoured vehicles, tanks and bulldozers supported by helicopter gunships entered the Tel al-Sultan quarter of Rafah simultaneously from several directions; the troops established a cordon around the area and separated the area from the rest of Rafah. A number of armoured vehicles entered through UNRWA schools in the southeastern part, causing extensive damage to the school grounds. Ambulances were prevented from evacuating the casualties out of fear that they would be hijacked by terrorists. Palestinians were prevented from accessing UNRWA's health clinic in the area.<ref name=UNWRA_appeal /> An ambulance was fired at. When a convoy of four ambulances accompanied by a Reuters vehicle were sent, they were also fired at. When they arrived at the victim, Israeli soldiers continued to fire.<ref name=PCHR_medics>PCHR, [http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/Reports/English/medical3.htm#_Toc121636833 "Third Report on Israeli Attacks against Palestinian Medical Personnel, 1 September 2002 – 31 December 2004"], Chapter "Disastrous Health Impacts on Palestinian Civilians during Wide Scale Offensives"</ref> Israeli [[IDF Caterpillar D9]] armoured bulldozers erected sand-barriers around Rafah to isolate it. Later, the D9s entered into the Rafah in order to open routes and demolish houses, allegedly used by militants. Extensive damage was caused to roads, water and [[sewage]] pipes and agricultural areas with greenhouses.<ref name=Razing_Rafah_Map6>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060324184845/https://hrw.org/reports/2004/rafah1004/12.htm#_Toc84676199 "Razing Rafah"], par. "Map 6: Tel al-Sultan 2004". HRW, 18 October 2004</ref>

Under pressure of sharp international criticism, the Israel government declared on 18 May that the plan to widen a buffer zone along the Egyptian border was cancelled,<ref name=AFP>[http://img.static.reliefweb.int/report/israel/demolitions-gaza-end-israel-tells-us "Demolitions in Gaza to end: Israel tells US"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012071858/http://img.static.reliefweb.int/report/israel/demolitions-gaza-end-israel-tells-us |date=2013-10-12 }}. AFP, 20 May 2004</ref> while the same day, the army massively invaded Rafah and continued its large-scale destruction.<ref name=UNWRA_appeal /> The next day, the United Nations Security Council adopted "[[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1544|Resolution 1544]]", condemning the killing of Palestinian civilians and the demolition of homes.<ref name=AFP />

On 19 May, the IDF ordered all males in Tel al-Sultan aged 16 years and above to gather at an UNRWA school and carried out house-to-house searches. An IDF tank fired four tank shells and a helicopter fired a missile on a group of demonstrating residents in Tel al-Sultan, killing 9 Palestinians and injuring 40–50 others. The IDF asserted there were gunmen in the crowd, although it did not claim to have come under fire. The IDF claimed that the shelling was intended as a warning to deter protesters and was not meant to cause casualties.<ref name=Razing_Rafah_Map6 /><ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0519-03.htm "10 Palestinians Killed as Israeli Army Fires on Protest Against Bloody Raid"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617094431/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0519-03.htm |date=2013-06-17 }}. Agence France Presse, 19 May 2004</ref><ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/at-least-10-dead-as-gaza-crowd-hit-by-gunfire/ "At Least 10 Dead as Gaza Crowd Hit by Gunfire"]. Associated Press, 20 May 2004</ref><ref name=Guardian_Rafah_zoo>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/may/22/israel "The day the tanks arrived at Rafah zoo"]. Chris McGreal, ''The Guardian'', 22 May 2004</ref> IDF snipers used abandoned houses as firing positions. Many houses were damaged or destroyed.<ref name=Mezan-report_180704 /> Israeli snipers shot at suspected militants who claimed they were civilians looking for water. The gunfire claimed the life of a Palestinian teen.<ref name=Razing_Rafah_Map6 />

On 20 May the IDF entered the "Brazil", "As-Salam" and "Junena" areas of eastern Rafah and sealed off the areas. In some cases, water and electricity were cut off during the operation.<ref name=UNWRA_appeal /> Tens of homes were demolished in Brazil and As Salam without warning. Some Palestinians claimed that the IDF commenced the demolitions when they were still in their homes.<ref name=Mezan-report_180704 />

A testimony describes attacks on an ambulance: When the ambulance arrived at al-Brazil to pick up a woman and her three wounded children, Israeli tanks fired. With bulldozers and tanks, the ambulance was surrounded. A bulldozer started to place sand barriers in front of the ambulance, while another bulldozer was demolishing houses and putting the ruins behind the ambulance to lock it in. When the medical workers tried to leave the car, Israeli tanks fired. After 3 hours, the army started to remove the barriers and the ambulance returned, without the wounded civilians.<ref name=PCHR_medics />

On 21 May, the Rafah [[zoo]] adjacent to the "Brazil" section of the Rafah [[refugee camp]] was destroyed during the operation.<ref name=HRW_Map_7>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060324185140/https://hrw.org/reports/2004/rafah1004/13.htm "Razing Rafah"], par. "Map 7: Brazil Features", HRW, 18 October 2004</ref> Some 60 homes were demolished and 35 others partially destroyed. also greenhouses and equipment were destroyed.<ref name=Mezan-report_180704 /> The IDF withdrew their main forces from the center of Tel al-Sultan and the curfew was lifted.<ref name=UNWRA_appeal />

On 22 and 23 May, a new incursion into the Brazil district took place. The IDF ordered all males in Abu Halaweh aged 16 years and above to gather and carried out house-to-house searches and demolitions. The IDF deliberately demolished two houses with the family who refused to leave inside. A soldier entered a house with a Palestinian as human shield.<ref name=Mezan-report_180704 /> In Tel al-Sultan, the IDF destroyed with bulldozers and tanks two large agricultural areas full of greenhouses.<ref name=Razing_Rafah_Map6 />

During the early hours of 24 May, Israeli forces withdrew completely from Tel al-Sultan, but remained present in the Brazil area until the end of the month.<ref name=UNWRA_appeal /> About 40 homes were destroyed from early in the morning until 6 pm.<ref name=Mezan-report_180704 />

On 1 June the operation officially ended. Surprisingly, the IDF choose to invade areas where armed resistance was limited, apparently to minimize confrontation with armed groups.<ref name=Razing_Rafah_Map5-intro />

== Destruction of the Rafah zoo ==

On 21 May the Israeli army completely destroyed the Rafah zoo, nearly 800 meters from the Egypt–Gaza border.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3748011.stm ''Rafah zoo levelled in Israel raid'']. Alan Johnston, BBC, 25 May 2004</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/22/world/in-gaza-bodies-rubble-and-a-lost-zoo.html?pagewanted=all ''In Gaza, Bodies, Rubble and a Lost Zoo'']. Alan Cowell, New York Times, 22 May 2004</ref>

The IDF said they had destroyed the zoo while en route to another objective and because an alternate route had been booby-trapped. According to Human Rights Watch, the deliberate and time-consuming nature of the destruction, the seizure of the four-story Juma’ house, and the stationing of several tanks there for over a day means that it was not an action en route, but rather part of enforcing a cordon.<ref name=HRW_Map_7/> ''[[The Guardian]]'' alleged that the IDF evolved the explanation of its actions. Mohammed Juma also accused Israeli soldiers of stealing valuable African parrots.<ref name=Guardian_Rafah_zoo/>

== Accusations of human rights violations ==

[[Al Mezan]] reported grave human rights violations. Many Palestinian civilians were killed. Many homes were destroyed or damaged. Medical services were obstructed, ambulances attacked, dead bodies could not be collected. Humanitarian assistance was denied. Large-scale wilful destruction of properties was reported; properties were stolen, soldiers urinated on mattresses and furniture. Civilians were systematically used as [[human shield]]s. According to Al Mezan, the use as human shield was common use in such Israeli operations.<ref name=Mezan-report_180704/>

==Results==

=== Casualties ===
From 12 to 15 May the IDF reportedly killed nine Palestinian civilians and six fighters. Eleven IDF soldiers died on 12–13 May,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://normanfinkelstein.com/2014/07/21/in-praise-of-m113-armored-personnel-carriers/|title=IN PRAISE OF M113 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS!}}</ref> later during the military operation two Israeli soldiers were killed and two more wounded.<ref name=Razing_Rafah_Map5-intro/> 
Al Mezan reported 15 killed Palestinians, all from missile attacks on 14 and 15 May, and at least 44 Palestinians during ''Operation Rainbow'', making a total of at least 59.<ref name=Mezan-report_180704/>

The IDF reportedly killed 32 Palestinian civilians, of whom 10 under age eighteen, as well as 12 armed fighters.
Based on a variety of reports, accounts and statements, Human Rights Watch reported 59 Palestinians killed during 12–24 May, including 11 under age eighteen and 18 armed men.<ref name=Razing_Rafah_VI/>

According to the IDF, 41 militants and 12 civilians were killed during the operation, where some of the civilians were killed by Palestinian fire.<ref name="imra.org.il" /><ref name="Ynet" /> During the operation, from 18 May to 25 May, no Israeli soldier was killed.

=== Damage ===
Pictures from Rafah showed a devastated city. Due to the use of [[Armored bulldozer#Israeli usage|armored bulldozers]] and tanks, extensive damage was caused to schools, roads, water and sewage pipes and agricultural areas with greenhouses, resulting in floods and risk of disease.<ref name="Razing_Rafah_Map6"/> At least 700 [[dunam]]s (70 ha) of agricultural land were destroyed.<ref name=PCHR_weekly_report>[http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6390 ''Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories'']. PCHR, 27 May 2004</ref>

As of 23 May 2004 one smuggling tunnel had been found, which according to the Israeli army was 25 feet deep and contained explosives.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/23/international/middleeast/23CND-ISRA.html?pagewanted=2 ''At Least 2 Hamas Members Are Reportedly Killed in Nablus'']. Ki0rk Semple And Alan Cowell, New York Times, 23 May 2004</ref>

According to [[UN]] relief agency [[UNRWA]], the IDF destroyed 45 buildings during the operation and 155 buildings in Rafah over the past month. Human rights groups estimated that the army had demolished some 170–180 buildings in Rafah, including some 300 homes. About 2,000 people became homeless in Operation Rainbow.<ref name=Mezan-report_180704/><ref name=haaretz_45_homes_razed>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/431683.html ''UNRWA: 45 homes razed in Rafah during Operation Rainbow''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040529014654/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/431683.html |date=2004-05-29 }}. Nir Hasson, Haaretz, 25 May 2004</ref> According to Human Rights Watch, during 12–24 May, 254 houses were destroyed, leaving nearly 3,800 people homeless, and 44 another houses in the Rafah area during the same month in other operations.<ref name=Razing_Rafah_VI>[https://www.hrw.org/node/11963/section/11 ''Razing Rafah''], ''Chapt. VI: A violent season: Destruction in Rafah, May 2004''. HRW, 18 October 2004</ref>

==Aftermath==

On 29 June 2004, Israel started an [[Raid on Beit Hanoun (2004)|invasion of Beit Hanoun]]. On 29 September, after a [[Qassam rocket]] hit the Israeli town of [[Sderot]] and killed two Israeli children, the IDF launched an [[Operation Days of Penitence|invasion of the north of the Gaza Strip]]. The operation's stated aim was to remove the threat of Qassam rockets from Sderot. The operation ended on 16 October, leaving widespread destruction and some 130 Palestinians dead.

==See also==
* [[List of invasions in the 21st century]]
* [[Israeli casualties of war]]
* [[Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=20950 Summary Of Briefing Held 24 May 2004 By GOC Southern Command/Reference to: Palestinian Terrorists kills Palestinian Children]
*[http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=20933 Briefing - Gaza Division Commander, Brigadier-General Shmuel Zakai]
*[http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=20899 PMW:PA called "Women, Children and Elderly" to Wednesday's Battle]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040804143529/http://www1.idf.il/DOVER/site/mainpage.asp?sl=EN&id=7&docid=31264.EN IDF Humanitarian aid in Rafah] ([[Israeli Defence Force]] statement)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040529014654/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/431683.html Haaretz report - UNRWA: 45 housed were razed. IDF: we killed 40 terrorists, Palestinians killed 2 children.]
*[https://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2004/10/17/razing-rafah-0 Razing Rafah: Mass Home Demolitions in the Gaza Strip] - Human Rights Watch

{{Israeli-Palestinian conflict |Timeline |state=expanded}}

{{coord|31.291|34.244|type:event_globe:earth_region:PS-GZA|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Israeli operation in Rafah, 2004}}
[[Category:Battles of the Second Intifada]]
[[Category:Counterterrorism in Israel]]
[[Category:Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip]]
[[Category:May 2004 in Asia]]
[[Category:June 2004 in Asia]]
[[Category:2004 in the Gaza Strip]]
[[Category:Rafah in the Second Intifada]]
[[Category:Sieges involving Israel]]
[[Category:2000s sieges]]
[[Category:Israeli demolition of Palestinian property]]
[[Category:2004 building bombings]]
[[Category:Residential building bombings in the Gaza Strip]]
[[Category:Attacks on mass media offices in Asia]]
[[Category:2004 airstrikes]]
[[Category:Helicopter attacks]]
[[Category:Attacks on ambulances]]
[[Category:Violations of medical neutrality during the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]