Israeli forces launch offensive in Rafah, targeting Egypt border crossing following Hamas’ attempt to alter cease-fire terms

Israel launched a major offensive into the final Hamas stronghold of Rafah, targeting the key border crossing with Egypt, the only entry and exit point not controlled by Israel in the Gaza Strip. The assault on the southern city, where over 1 million Palestinians have sought refuge, followed a last-minute cease-fire proposal by Hamas.

However, Hamas altered the terms of the deal, including counting the bodies of dead hostages among the Israelis they agreed to release. This led to Israel rejecting the proposal and launching a ground offensive into Rafah, despite international calls for a cease-fire.

As Israeli tanks advanced towards the crossing, Hamas fired rockets at Israeli cities near the border, which were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system. The IDF aims to control the crossing to monitor aid flowing into Gaza, a move that could weaken Hamas’ grip on the territory.

The world is closely watching the situation in Rafah, with President Biden expressing opposition to a ground operation there. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for negotiations to end the conflict and alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.

As the offensive continues, thousands of Palestinians are fleeing the area, and concerns are raised about the humanitarian impact of the military action. Despite the ongoing violence, efforts are being made to reach a diplomatic solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.