Rafah, May 18 (RHC)-- The International Rescue Committee is warning the scale of the crisis in southern Gaza “defies imagination” as Israel intensifies its attack on Rafah while key border crossings remain shut down. 

More than 600,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah despite having no safe place to go.  Another 100,000 Palestinians have fled in the north. 

Meanwhile, Israel deployed an additional commando brigade to Rafah. 

Earlier this week, Israel shelled a clinic in Gaza City run by the United Nations aid agency UNRWA, killing at least 10 displaced Palestinians, including children.  Israeli forces also targeted residential buildings and an ambulance in Jabaliya, killing multiple Palestinians, including a pregnant woman. 

Separately, five Israeli soldiers were killed in Jabaliya when they were shelled by an Israeli tank.  Seven other Israeli troops were injured in what’s being described as a friendly fire incident.