News, Gaza situation and more

Gaza ceasefire talks over hostages have hit a “pause” as Israel escalates its military campaign in the city of Rafah, two US officials told CNN.

In its most recent counterproposal, presented on Monday, Hamas demanded that Israel agree to an initial 12-week cessation of hostilities instead of the six weeks that have created a major hurdle in the talks, three sources familiar with CNN told CNN. discussion.

The United States has also repeatedly called on Israel to reconsider its plans for a full-scale invasion of Rafah, where more than a million people are taking refuge fleeing fighting in other areas of Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will fight “to the nails” if necessary after President Joe Biden’s ultimatum that a major Israeli attack in Rafah would result in the freezing of some US weapons.

The Israeli military said it had the weapons needed for its missions in Gaza, including the offensive on Rafah.

These are the latest developments in the region:

Humanitarian Aid:

The United Nations refugee agency will close its east Jerusalem headquarters after the compound was set on fire by “Israeli extremists” while staff were inside, its chief said on Thursday.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said “some trucks” crossed the Kerem Shalom and Erez border crossings on Thursday, but not enough trucks have yet reached Gaza. He indicated that some people had also passed through the northern crossing.

There were conflicting reports about the status of the crossing, which Israel closed after a deadly rocket attack on Sunday, according to the Israeli military.

Fears are growing that Israeli attacks in Rafah, including the seizure of the Gazan side crossing with Egypt, will further slow efforts to get food to Gaza.

Development of ground situation:

Satellite images show that Israeli attacks on Rafah have expanded to ground operations and Palestinians have begun fleeing the city in large numbers.
The Israeli military detected several attacks directed from southern Lebanon into northern Israel on Thursday, as tensions over Israel’s war in Gaza spread across the wider region.