New Israeli strikes killed 16 people in Rafah Tuesday, first responders said, as an incursion into the southern Gaza city, which once had over a million Palestinians, expands.( )

The latest attacks occurred in northwest Rafah, according to The Associated Press (AP), citing the Palestinian Red Crescent and the Palestinian Civil Defense. The strikes, which took place overnight in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, were conducted in the same area as the deadly Israeli attack over the weekend, which killed at least 45 Palestinians, sparking international outrage.( )

The Sunday attack targeted a humanitarian zone, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that the strike on civilians was a “tragic mistake” and called for an investigation.( )

Tuesday’s strike, which occurred in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, presents further escalation in Rafah, an area that was once considered one of the last remaining places for Palestinians fleeing the military operation to shelter.( )

Since the beginning of Israel’s steady incursion toward Rafah, once seen as a place of refuge for displaced Palestinians, around 1 million civilians have fled the southern city, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main humanitarian agency providing relief to Palestinians in Gaza. Those who have fled the city are scattered around in tents. ( )

The U.S. and other Israel allies have cautioned Tel Aviv against executing a full-throttled invasion into Rafah, with President Biden warning that he would halt offensive weapons transfers.( )

Israel has argued the operation needs to proceed in order to eradicate militant group Hamas and return the remaining hostages that were taken on Oct. 7, when around 1,200 Israelis in the south of the country were killed by a Hamas-led terrorist attack.( )

Following the onset of the war, Israel launched an offensive into Gaza that, so far, has killed over 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, a total count that does not differentiate between civilians and fighters.( )

The latest movement also comes after the U.N.-backed International Court of Justice ruled Friday that Israel must immediately stop its military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

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SpaceX has confirmed they are kicking off Memorial Day with a morning Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Launch Complex 40.( )

Launch is now targeted for 11:29 a.m. EDT on Monday, which is the end of the launch window. Should SpaceX not be able to launch during the allotted window, a backup opportunity is open on Tuesday, May 28, beginning at 7:30 a.m. EDT.( )

The next Cape Canaveral rocket launch:Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida

The Falcon 9 booster set for launch on Monday morning will see its tenth flight. This particular booster launched the memorable NASA Crew-6 mission in early 2023.( )

Approximately eight and a half minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9 will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.( )

SpaceX Starship flight update

SpaceX has confirmed they are targeting as early as Wednesday, June 5, for the fourth flight test of its Starship. While SpaceX is targeting that date, the FAA has yet to provide regulatory approval.( )

The fully stacked Starship will launch from Boca Chica, Texas, on a test flight. Target objectives include: achieving a landing burn and soft splashdown of the Starship Super Heavy booster in the Gulf of Mexico and achieving a controlled reentry of the Starship. Following a similar flight pattern to the third flight, SpaceX is targeting a splashdown of the Starship in the Indian Ocean.( )

SpaceX states that they have implemented hardware and software updates based on what was learned during the third fight. That third flight test, whichtook place March 14, was highly successful. Not only did Starship reach space and coast for over 40 minutes, but it demonstrated the opening and closing of the payload door, as well as a propellant transfer demonstration.

Once operational, Starship will transport payload and crews to Earth orbit and beyond. It will also be used by NASA as part of Artemis − ferrying astronauts down to the lunar surface from the Orion spacecraft. This Starship human landing system will be used during Artemis III, which is slated return astronauts to the Moon's surface no earlier than September 2026.

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Israeli attack on Rafah tent camp kills 45, prompts global outcry