Israeli forces have taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, which borders Egypt in southern Gaza, as tanks from the 401st Brigade were seen rolling into the region. This move comes as Israel vows to press ahead with a ground operation in Rafah, despite a ceasefire deal proposed by Qatar and Egypt that was accepted by Hamas but rejected by Israel.
An anonymous Israeli official outlined four key issues with the ceasefire deal, including a demand for a permanent ceasefire and a clause ensuring bodies of Israeli hostages could be substituted for living if captives could not be found. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deemed the agreement “unacceptable” and sent a negotiating team to Cairo, Egypt, to review the terms of the plan.
In a statement, the Israeli military confirmed the ground operation in Rafah, stating that “ground troops began a precise counterterrorism operation based on military and security intelligence to eliminate Hamas terrorists within specific areas of eastern Rafah.” Tanks were seen near the Gaza border as Israel prepares to escalate its military presence in the region.
The decision to continue the war on Hamas comes as negotiators try to reach a more favorable deal in Egypt. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of Israel and the release of Israeli hostages while continuing the military offensive against Hamas.
As tensions escalate in the region, Israelis have gathered in Tel Aviv to protest against Netanyahu’s decision to continue attacking Rafah amid ceasefire talks. Demonstrators held banners reading “Stop the Gaza genocide,” “Drop food not bombs,” “Israel out of Gaza,” and “Stop the war.”
Hamas official Osama Hamdan warned that if Israel’s military aggression continues in Rafah, there will be no ceasefire deal. He stated that the latest ceasefire proposal, which Hamas agreed to, represents the minimum that responds to the demands of the Palestinian people and the resistance.
The situation in Rafah remains tense as Israeli tanks drive over “I love Gaza” signs, symbolizing the military’s control of the region. With both sides unwilling to back down, the conflict in Gaza shows no signs of abating as Israel vows to press ahead with its ground operation despite international calls for a ceasefire.