Israeli army overtakes Palestinian side of Rafah border crossing
The Israeli army has taken over the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing. Israeli news website Ynet and Haaretz newspaper said on Tuesday morning that Israeli forces have been deployed to the east of Rafah and that the border crossing on the Palestinian side is under "operational Israeli control".
The military says it has “encouraged” displaced people and international humanitarian organisations operating in eastern Rafah to “temporarily evacuate” the area as it launches a military operation in the area.
The central road connecting the north of the Gaza Strip with the south is also said to be under the control of the Israeli army. Ynet reported that 20 militants were killed, and three tunnel entrances were discovered during the Israeli army's operation on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, Hamas told Egyptian and Qatari mediators on Monday evening that they would accept their proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. Israel is still examining the ceasefire proposal, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet unanimously gave the green light to continue the military operation in Rafah.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday that a ground offensive in Rafah was "unacceptable". He called on Israel and Hamas to make greater efforts to reach an agreement.
©SAID KHATIB / AFP
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