Israeli forces have taken control of the Palestinian part of the Rafah crossing, which connects the Gaza Strip to Egypt
image Source, reuters
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- Role, bbc news world
The Israeli army said on Tuesday it had taken operational control of the Palestinian part of the Rafah crossing, which borders Egypt. It is the only crossing that connects the Gaza Strip to territory that does not belong to Israel.
Witnesses told the BBC that flames rose into the sky throughout the night, as well as the continuous sounds of Israeli bombardment. The army said it had killed 20 people who were “Hamas terrorists”.
This is still a very limited operation and not for now Rafah massive ground offensive, World powers have warned against it because of the humanitarian consequences in a city filled with Palestinians fleeing fighting in other parts of Gaza.
The Palestinian city of Rafah has been a center of refuge for the civilian population and an entry point for humanitarian aid since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
All this happened this Monday after the orders of the Israeli Army approximately 100,000 Palestinians To leave some areas in the east of the city and move to the “extended humanitarian zone” in Khan Younis and Al Mawasi.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did this by using text messages, flyers, and social media posts to ask the population to move.
image Source, reuters
“The IDF launched a precision anti-terrorist operation in the eastern Rafah area. Following intelligence indicating that the Rafah crossing in eastern Rafah was being used for terrorist purposes, IDF troops withdrew overnight (Monday) from the crossing into Gaza. “Gain operational control ashore.” , The army statement said.
The army claimed that, as part of its operation, “they attacked and destroyed Hamas terrorist positions in the Rafah area,” and “about 20 terrorists were killed and three operational tunnels were discovered.” Has gone.” BBC has not confirmed this information.
In an early morning press briefing, the IDF said that the Kerem Shalom crossing is also currently closed and will be reopened as soon as the security situation becomes favorable.
diplomatic pressure increased
This situation at the ground level has come when efforts are on to reach a negotiated solution to the crisis.
Hamas announced on Monday that it accepts a ceasefire proposal in Gaza by Egypt and QatarDue to which there is hope that there will be an end to the conflict.
Hamas specified that the head of its political office, Ismail Haniya, informed the Prime Minister of Qatar and the Egyptian Intelligence Minister of its decision.
Qatar has been the mediator in the potential hostage deal, sending its team back to Cairo so they can renegotiate a ceasefire.
The announcement was greeted with anticipation in both the Palestinian territories and the international community.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office indicated that the ceasefire offers from Egypt and Qatar “far fell short of his government’s demands”, although he agreed to talks and announced sending a delegation to the countries to mediate.
image Source, reuters
UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, has warned that the reduction in aid supplies will have a devastating impact on civilians.
“Our biggest problem in the last 24 to 48 hours is the lack of border crossings and relief supplies,” agency spokesman Lewis Waterridge told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
He says, “The situation is very worrying.”
Looking ahead, he warned of threats to the health of Gazans, saying that the health situation is worsening and that summer temperatures are expected to be extremely high, with many people currently sheltering in plastic tents.
Wateridge, who lives in Rafah, says the atmosphere is dull. He says many people are waiting to see what happens next, while some are leaving the city.
*With reporting by Yolande Nel.
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