Israel Pledges to Persist with Rafah Operation Amid Uncertain Gaza Ceasefire

In the ongoing conflict, Hamas in Gaza has agreed to a ceasefire proposal from mediators, but Israel contends that the terms fall short of its demands. Despite this, Israel has continued strikes in Rafah while expressing willingness to continue negotiations for a comprehensive agreement.

Amidst these developments, Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes and ground operations in Rafah, prompting authorities to instruct residents to evacuate certain areas. Rafah has served as a haven for over a million displaced Palestinians during the conflict.

Hamas released a brief statement confirming that its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, informed Qatari and Egyptian mediators of the group’s acceptance of the ceasefire proposal.

Hamas Accepts Ceasefire Proposal as Israel Continues Strikes in Rafah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the ceasefire proposal did not meet Israel’s demands, but Israel agreed to send a delegation for further negotiations. Qatar announced that its delegation would travel to Cairo on Tuesday to resume indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu’s office also declared approval for the continuation of an operation in Rafah. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi criticized Netanyahu on social media, accusing him of undermining the ceasefire by bombing Rafah.

An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, claimed that the proposal accepted by Hamas was a diluted version of an Egyptian offer, containing elements unacceptable to Israel. The official suggested that Hamas might be using this as a tactic to portray Israel as the party unwilling to make a deal.

Another official familiar with the agreement stated that Hamas had agreed to the phased ceasefire and hostage release plan proposed by Israel on April 27, with only minor modifications that did not alter the core components of the proposal.

Ceasefire Uncertainty: Hamas Accepts Proposal Amid Israeli Airstrikes

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller announced that Washington would engage in discussions with its allies within the next few hours regarding the Hamas response, expressing confidence that a deal was “absolutely achievable.”

According to Gaza health officials, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 34,600 Palestinians, with the United Nations warning of imminent famine in the enclave.

The war commenced when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and the abduction of 252 individuals, with 133 still believed to be held captive in Gaza, as per Israeli records.

Rafah has been targeted by strikes amidst these developments. Any potential ceasefire would mark the first cessation of hostilities since a week-long truce in November, during which Hamas released about half of the hostages.

Efforts to establish a new ceasefire have faltered due to Hamas’s refusal to release additional hostages without a commitment to a permanent resolution of the conflict, and Israel’s insistence on only discussing a temporary cessation.

Taher Al-Nono, a Hamas official and advisor to Haniyeh, informed Reuters that the proposal met the group’s demands regarding Gaza’s reconstruction efforts, the repatriation of displaced Palestinians, and the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Negotiating Ceasefire: Hamas Accepts Plan as Israel Pushes On in Rafah

Hamas deputy chief in Gaza, Khalil Al-Hayya, outlined to Al Jazeera television a proposal consisting of three phases, each lasting six weeks. According to the proposal, Israel would withdraw its troops from Gaza during the second phase.

Earlier on Monday, Israel instructed the evacuation of certain areas in Rafah, a city situated on the Egyptian border, which has served as a refuge for approximately half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

Medics reported that an Israeli airstrike on a house in Rafah resulted in the deaths of five Palestinians, including a woman and a girl.

Ceasefire Talks Amid Conflict: Hamas Agrees, Israel Pursues Strikes in Rafah

Israel perceives Rafah as a strategic location where a significant number of Hamas fighters, potentially along with dozens of hostages, are believed to be present. Israel has expressed that achieving victory necessitates gaining control over this key city.

The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has urged Israel to refrain from assaulting Rafah without a comprehensive plan in place to safeguard civilians. However, such a plan has not yet been presented.

A U.S. official noted concerns regarding Israel’s recent strikes in Rafah but does not view them as indicative of a major military operation. Israel stated that it was conducting limited operations in the eastern part of Rafah on Monday, although Palestinian residents reported extensive airstrikes.

Jaber Abu Nazly, a 40-year-old father of two, expressed via a chat app to Reuters that the intensity of bombardment increased after evacuation orders, indicating an attempt to intimidate residents into leaving. Many residents now question if any part of Gaza remains safe.

Arabic text messages, phone calls, and flyers instructed Palestinian families to relocate to what the Israeli military termed an “expanded humanitarian zone,” approximately 20 km (12 miles) away. Despite the chilly spring rain, some families began their journey, transporting children and belongings on donkey carts, while others walked or used pick-up vehicles along muddy streets.

Abdullah Al-Najar, while dismantling tents and packing belongings, lamented that this marked the fourth occasion he had to uproot his family since the conflict erupted seven months ago. “God only knows where we’ll go next. We haven’t made a decision yet.”