Photos: Border tensions rise as Israel confirms Rafah as its next military target

Mahmoud Kamil Barjawi poses for a portrait outside the home of his cousin, who fell victim to an Israeli attack on Thursday, Feb. 15, that claimed the lives of at least seven members of the same family and three Hezbollah fighters who were in the building, according to Lebanese local media. (Diego Ibarra Sánchez for NPR)

This past week revealed tensions between bordering countries along with confirmation of Israel's newest military target: Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. As a result, Egypt implemented a buffer zone preparing for possible spill over of Palestinian refugees. Across the Israel-Lebanon border, airstrikes took the lives of many on Wednesday and Thursday, including Israeli soldiers, Hezbollah fighters and civilians.

As a lack of resources throughout Gaza intensifies, Nasser Hospital's power was cut as it was invaded by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of patients on site. On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel is "thoroughly planning" a military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which has continued to be a place of refuge for over 1.4 million displaced Palestinians.