Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, signaling a significant development in the ongoing conflict. This move comes as IDF intelligence uncovered that the crossing was being utilized for terrorist activities, prompting the IDF to take necessary action.
In a statement released by the IDF, it was revealed that the mortars fired towards the Kerem Shalom crossing, resulting in the tragic deaths of four IDF soldiers, originated from the Rafah area. In response, IDF troops seized operational control of the Gazan side of the crossing and conducted targeted operations to eliminate Hamas terror targets.
During the operation, Israel Air Force jets orchestrated airstrikes on various Hamas infrastructure, effectively neutralizing 20 terrorists according to IDF estimates. However, reports from Al Jazeera suggest that the airstrikes also led to civilian casualties, raising concerns over the collateral damage caused by the military action.
In a surprising turn of events, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh announced that the group has accepted a ceasefire proposal brokered by Qatari and Egyptian mediators. Despite the acceptance of the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office indicated that the proposal fell short of Israel’s demands. Nevertheless, Israel’s war cabinet decided to continue military operations against Rafah.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated following a cross-border raid by Hamas, resulting in a significant loss of life and escalating tensions in the region. The toll on civilians has been devastating, with thousands of Palestinians killed and wounded in the assault.
As the situation remains volatile, with ceasefire talks underway, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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