In the latest escalation of the Gaza conflict, Israeli military forces have taken control of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. This move follows a series of airstrikes targeting the Palestinian enclave, particularly the southern Gazan town of Rafah.
The offensive occurred amid ongoing efforts by mediators to broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group governing Gaza. Despite reports of a ceasefire proposal from Hamas on Monday, Israel has indicated that the terms offered did not meet its demands, leading to continued military action.
The seizure of the Rafah crossing is a significant development in the conflict, potentially impacting humanitarian aid and civilian movement in and out of Gaza. Aid groups have already expressed concerns about the situation, warning of a potential “catastrophe” if the conflict continues unabated.
The Gaza war, now in its eighth month, has seen periodic escalations of violence, with both sides trading airstrikes and rocket attacks. Efforts by international mediators to de-escalate the situation have so far been met with limited success, highlighting the entrenched nature of the conflict and the challenges of finding a lasting peace agreement.
Sources By Agencies
