KATHMANDU: The Israeli military took control of the strategic Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt after Palestinian militant group Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal mediated by Qatar and Egypt. However, Israel deemed the terms insufficient and initiated a military operation in Rafah, conducting airstrikes and deploying tanks. Palestinian officials reported 20 casualties and condemned Israel's actions, accusing it of endangering civilian lives and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Following the escalation, the Rafah crossing, a vital route for aid into Gaza, was closed due to the presence of Israeli forces. The United States urged Israel to delay military action until a humanitarian plan for Palestinians in Rafah was established. Palestinian families were instructed to evacuate to a designated "expanded humanitarian zone," triggering further displacement amid ongoing conflict.
Hamas, in a statement, confirmed accepting the ceasefire proposal, while Israel indicated the proposal did not meet its demands but agreed to resume negotiations. Qatar announced its delegation's plan to travel to Cairo to facilitate indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. However, tensions remained high, with Jordan's foreign minister criticizing Israel's actions and expressing concerns about jeopardizing the ceasefire efforts. Despite the potential for a ceasefire, the conflict's toll continues to rise, with thousands of Palestinians killed and a looming famine crisis in Gaza.
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