Israeli Military Assumes Control of Crucial Rafah Crossing Linking Gaza to Egypt

On May 7, the Israeli military gained control of the crucial Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. This action followed a night of airstrikes, occurring amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, announced its acceptance of a ceasefire proposal from mediators, marking a potential turning point in the seven-month-long conflict that has displaced over a million Gazans to the enclave’s southern region.

Israeli Military Assumes Control of Rafah Crossing Amid Ceasefire Uncertainty

Israel deemed the proposed terms insufficient and initiated a military operation in Rafah. Israeli tanks and aircraft conducted airstrikes throughout Rafah overnight, resulting in the deaths of 20 Palestinians and injuries to several others, according to Palestinian health officials. Hisham Edwan, spokesperson for the Gaza Border Crossing Authority, condemned Israel’s actions, asserting that the closure of the Rafah border crossing amounted to a death sentence for Gaza residents. He also criticized the collapse of the healthcare system, which he claimed endangered the lives of cancer patients. Israel had previously threatened to launch a significant offensive in Rafah, citing the presence of Hamas fighters and hostages. According to Israel, achieving victory necessitates seizing control of Rafah.

Israeli Offensive in Rafah: Ceasefire Proposal Sparks Military Action

The closure of the Rafah crossing was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Gaza border authority, citing the presence of Israeli tanks. This crossing serves as a vital conduit for aid into the beleaguered enclave. Earlier, Israel’s Army Radio had reported the deployment of its forces in the area. Meanwhile, the United States has urged Israel to refrain from launching a military campaign in Rafah until it has formulated a humanitarian plan for the Palestinians seeking refuge there—a plan Washington claims it has not yet received. Israel asserted that the majority of individuals in the vicinity of the military operations had been evacuated.

Rafah Border Crisis: Israeli Forces Enter Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Persist

Some Palestinian families began relocating to what the Israeli military termed an “expanded humanitarian zone,” situated approximately 20 km (12 miles) away, prompted by Arabic text messages, phone calls, and flyers. Amidst chilly spring rain, some families loaded children and belongings onto donkey carts, while others traversed muddy streets on foot or by pick-up trucks. As they dismantled tents and packed belongings, Abdullah Al-Najar reflected on this being the fourth instance of displacement since the conflict began seven months ago, expressing uncertainty about their future destination.

In Cairo, Hamas conveyed its acceptance of a ceasefire proposal to Qatari and Egyptian mediators, as indicated in a brief statement by its chief, Ismail Haniyeh. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office later remarked that while the proposed truce did not meet Israel’s demands, Israel would dispatch a delegation to engage in negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement.

Tensions Rise as Israeli Military Takes Charge of Rafah Crossing During Ceasefire Negotiations

Qatar’s foreign ministry announced that its delegation will travel to Cairo on Tuesday to resume indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu’s office stated that his war cabinet approved the continuation of an operation in Rafah. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi criticized Netanyahu on social media, suggesting that the bombing of Rafah was undermining ceasefire efforts. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, claimed that the proposal approved by Hamas was a diluted version of an Egyptian offer, containing elements Israel could not accept. Another official, briefed on the agreement, stated that Hamas had agreed to Israel’s proposed phased ceasefire and hostage release deal with minor alterations. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed confidence that a deal was “absolutely achievable” and indicated that discussions would take place with allies regarding Hamas’s response. If achieved, this truce would mark the first cessation of hostilities since a week-long ceasefire in November, during which Hamas released approximately half of the hostages.

Since then, all attempts to negotiate a new truce have faltered due to Hamas’ refusal to release additional hostages without a commitment to a permanent resolution to the conflict, while Israel insists on discussing only a temporary ceasefire.

According to Gaza health officials, more than 34,600 Palestinians have lost their lives in the conflict. The United Nations has warned of an imminent famine in the enclave.

The conflict began when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and the abduction of 252 individuals. Israeli records indicate that 133 of these captives are still believed to be held in Gaza.