RAFAH: Israel sent tanks into Rafah city in southern Gaza, seizing control of the crucial border crossing with Egypt Tuesday, an operation the United Nations said denied it access to the key humanitarian passage. Meanwhile negotiators and mediators prepared for Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo.
The military incursion into the eastern sector of Rafah, densely populated with displaced Palestinian civilians, coincided with efforts towards securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the seven-month-long war. A senior Hamas official, speaking anonymously, described the ongoing talks in Cairo as Israel’s “last chance” to free an estimated 128 captives still held in Gaza. He warned of dire consequences if the latest round of truce talks failed.
While a Hamas delegation in Cairo, Israel also sent negotiators, with Qatar dispatching a team as well. The operation in Rafah commenced after Hamas accepted a truce proposal late Monday, triggering hope for an end to the conflict despite Israel’s reluctance.
However, the joy sparked by the ceasefire announcement quickly dissipated as Rafah was rocked by heavy Israeli bombardments overnight, resulting in multiple casualties. The Kuwaiti and Najjar hospitals reported receiving bodies of those killed in the attacks, underscoring the grim reality faced by civilians amidst the ongoing violence.
The European Union, Egypt, and the United States expressed alarm over the potential humanitarian catastrophe in Rafah, urging restraint and advocating for a peaceful resolution.
