A Palestinian security official and an Egyptian official reported on Monday that Israeli tanks had entered the southern Gaza town of Rafah, coming as close as 200 meters from its border with Egypt. The Egyptian official mentioned that the operation seemed to be limited in scope. He and Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV stated that Israeli officials had informed Egypt that the troops would withdraw once the operation was completed. The Israeli military chose not to comment on the situation.
On Sunday, Hamas fighters near the Rafah crossing fired mortars into southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers.
Both the Egyptian official, stationed on the Egyptian side of Rafah, and the Palestinian security official spoke anonymously, as they were not authorized to speak to the press. The Associated Press could not verify the full extent of the operation.
Earlier on Monday, Israel’s War Cabinet decided to proceed with a military operation in Rafah, despite Hamas announcing its acceptance of an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a ceasefire. However, Israel stated that the proposal did not meet its core demands, so it planned to continue its assault on Rafah while still engaging in negotiations.
This back-and-forth between diplomatic efforts and military actions left some hope for a ceasefire, but the situation remained tense. There were concerns about a potential full-scale Israeli assault on Rafah, a move opposed by the United States and feared to worsen the already dire situation for the 1.4 million Palestinians in the area.
Hamas’s sudden acceptance of the ceasefire deal followed Israel’s evacuation order for about 100,000 Palestinians from eastern neighborhoods of Rafah, indicating an imminent invasion.
Despite pressure from hard-line partners in his coalition to attack Rafah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to continue the operation. However, he also agreed to send negotiators to Egypt to work on a deal, even though the proposed ceasefire fell short of Israel’s expectations.
While the US expressed concerns about the situation, it was unclear if the ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas differed significantly from previous proposals. The international community urged for a halt in the violence, warning of catastrophic consequences for civilians.
The evacuation order issued by Israel added to the distress of Palestinians in Rafah, who were already suffering from the ongoing conflict. Many families were left with uncertainty about their future, facing difficult decisions amid the turmoil.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in immense loss of life and displacement, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire have been complicated by diverging demands and escalating tensions on the ground.
