By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
RAFAH, Gaza Strip/CAIRO — In a significant development amid escalating tensions, the Israeli military has assumed control of the Rafah border crossing, a critical gateway between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. This move comes amidst a backdrop of heightened conflict, with Israeli tanks advancing into the southern Gazan town of Rafah following overnight air strikes on the Palestinian enclave.
The offensive unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, marking the eighth month of the conflict. On Monday, Hamas announced acceptance of a ceasefire proposal, though Israel swiftly dismissed the terms as insufficient to meet its demands.
The humanitarian situation in Rafah remains a pressing concern as Israeli airstrikes have resulted in 54 Palestinian casualties and 96 injuries within the last 24 hours alone, according to the Gaza health ministry. More than one million individuals have sought refuge in Rafah, finding shelter in tented camps and makeshift structures. Despite Israeli evacuation orders, many residents express desperation, lacking safe havens amid widespread devastation.
Israeli military officials contend that the operation in Rafah aims to neutralize militants and dismantle Hamas infrastructure within the besieged territory. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has condemned the assault, warning of dire consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire.
“The Rafah offensive has commenced despite international appeals for restraint,” Borrell emphasized during a press briefing in Brussels. “This action is likely to result in significant civilian casualties, underscoring the absence of safe zones in Gaza.”
Israeli authorities have long identified Rafah as a strategic stronghold for Hamas, alleging the presence of numerous fighters and potential hostages. Victory over Hamas is perceived as unattainable without securing control over Rafah, according to Israeli military strategists.
The closure of the Rafah crossing has halted critical aid shipments into Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Egyptian Red Crescent sources report a cessation of aid traffic not only at Rafah but also at the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing.
International stakeholders, including the United States, have implored Israel to defer military action in Rafah until a comprehensive humanitarian plan is devised for displaced Palestinians. Hisham Edwan, spokesperson for the Gaza Border Crossing Authority, decried the border closure as a death sentence for Gaza residents.
As truce negotiations resume in Cairo, Qatar has dispatched a delegation to facilitate indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. Despite Hamas’s endorsement of a ceasefire proposal on Monday, Israeli leaders have expressed dissatisfaction, insisting on broader concessions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has authorized the continuation of operations in Rafah, citing unresolved demands within the ceasefire proposal. An anonymous Israeli official characterized Hamas’s acceptance as a diluted version of an earlier Egyptian offer, failing to meet Israel’s core requirements.
Efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire have stumbled over Hamas’s insistence on a permanent resolution and Israel’s preference for a temporary pause. The potential truce would mark the first cessation of hostilities since November when Hamas released a portion of captives during a brief ceasefire period.
Amid intensifying conflict and humanitarian crises, the fate of Rafah remains a focal point in broader negotiations seeking to quell violence and secure stability in the region.