Gazans in the besieged southern city of Rafah have told AFP that they believe Israel’s reported strike against Iran is little more than a show — and called for peace in the region.

“As everybody knows, this is all staged and agreed upon in advance from both sides,” resident Alaa Abu Taha said. “If someone wants to strike, they don’t give prior warning or threaten before.”

Rafah resident Iyad Labbad thinks “nothing will happen” after the reported strikes. “There will be no regional conflict. It’s just a show,” he said.

He said Iran struck “empty areas” in Israel, which had chosen to “retaliate by striking empty areas” in Iran. “The war between Iran and Israel will halt soon,” he said. “This is all for nothing.”

Editorial

Updated 01 Aug, 2026

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