On May 6, 2024, as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas continued, Israel bombed Rafah in the southern Gaza corridor, sending thick smoke billowing.
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An Israeli tank brigade took control of Rafah’s Gaza side of the border with Egypt on Tuesday and continued its offensive in the southern city, authorities said, even as ceasefire talks with Hamas remained in jeopardy.
The move came hours after the war between Israel and Hamas broke out, with the militant group saying on Monday it had accepted an Egyptian-Qadda-mediated ceasefire offer. Israel, meanwhile, insists the agreement does not meet its core requirements. High-stakes diplomatic moves and military brinksmanship offer at least a glimmer of hope — but only a faint hope — that a deal can be reached, at least putting negotiations on hold. 7 months of war have Destroyed the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military said the Israeli 401st Brigade entered the Rafah crossing early Tuesday morning to conduct “operational control” of the key crossing. It is the main route for aid entering the besieged enclave and for those who are able to flee to Egypt. Since the war began, Israel has had complete control of all access to and from Gaza.
Video released by the Israeli military showed a tank entering the crossing. Details in the video match known features of the crossing and show Israeli flags flying on tanks occupying the area.
The Israeli military claimed it seized the crossing after receiving intelligence that it was “being used for terrorist purposes.” The military did not immediately provide evidence to support the claim but claimed the area around the crossing had been used to launch mortar attacks that killed four Israeli soldiers and wounded others near the Kerem Shalom crossing.
The military also said ground troops and air strikes were targeting suspected Hamas positions in Rafah.
Palestinian Crossing Points Authority spokesman Waal Abu Omar acknowledged that Israeli forces had seized the crossing and temporarily closed the facility. He said attacks had been targeting areas around the crossing since Monday.
An Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman declined immediate comment on the Israeli seizures.Egypt has previously warned that any detention of Rafah could lead to Palestinians fleeing across the border this may threaten The 1979 peace agreement with Israel has been key to regional security.
The offensive again raises the risk of a full-scale Israeli attack Attack on RafahThe United States strongly opposes the move, which aid groups warn will have a catastrophic impact on the estimated 1.4 million Palestinians who have taken refuge there.
Egyptian officials say the proposal calls for a ceasefire Multiple stages starting with limited release of hostages and Israel’s partial withdrawal from Gaza. They said the two sides would also negotiate a “permanent calm” that would lead to the full release of hostages and the withdrawal of more Israeli troops from the territory.
Hamas is seeking clearer guarantees on its key demands for an end to the war and a complete Israeli troop withdrawal in exchange for the release of all hostages, but it is unclear whether any changes will be made.
Israeli leaders have repeatedly rejected such compromises and vowed to continue their operations until Hamas is destroyed after attacking Israel on October 7 and triggering war.
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