ISRAELI tanks arrived in Rafah this morning as it began a ground offensive after 11am ceasefire talks partially collapsed.
Israel’s military said 20 Hamas terrorists were killed after its war cabinet voted unanimously to press ahead with the planned invasion of the southern Gaza city – despite fears of mass civilian casualties.
11
11
11
11
This morning, Israeli tanks and soldiers were seen entering eastern Rafah after an overnight bombardment.
It comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night rejected a ceasefire offer from Hamas and vowed to move into the city, which is teeming with refugees from the north.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that the 401st armored brigade and the Givati infantry brigade established control over the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing.
The IDF also said it killed 20 Hamas militants and located three “significant” tunnel shafts in the early hours of what it predicts will be a six-week attack.
Yesterday, residents of Rafah were told to flee the war-torn city to avoid the risk of being used as “human shields” by Hamas thugs.
Wael Abu Omar, Palestinian Authority spokesman for crossings, said today: “The entire western area [of Rafah] it has become a theater of operations since yesterday. The bombing didn’t stop”,
However, the offensive has once again raised the risks of an all-out Israeli assault on Rafah, a move the US strongly opposes and which aid groups warn will be disastrous for some 1.4 million Palestinians there. take refuge.
Hours before Israel approved the ground offensive, Hamas announced that it had accepted a ceasefire proposal presented by mediators Egypt and Qatar.
This sparked celebrations on the streets of Gaza, especially in Rafah, as Palestinians believed the end of the seven months of grueling war was near.
However, Israel rejected the “impossible” proposal, saying it did not meet its “fundamental demands”.
Netanyahu offered a 40-day truce to allow the release of the most vulnerable of the approximately 130 hostages, on terms considered “very generous” by Britain and the US.
Hamas refused to budge on its position that any agreement must end the war during a second day of talks with Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Cairo.
Negotiations are expected to continue today.
11
11
11
11
Israel says Rafah is Hamas’ last stronghold, but the US opposes a full-scale invasion of the city that borders Egypt unless Israel provides a credible plan to protect civilians there.
The death toll in Gaza has risen to more than 34,500 people, according to Hamas-run health authorities.
The war was triggered by the bloody October 7 attacks, when Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and kidnapping around 250 others.
Israel says militants still hold about 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 other people.
Why does Israel want to invade Rafah?
ISRAELI tanks and forces invaded eastern Rafah today – despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas.
So why does Israel want to attack the southern city of Gaza?
Israel claims that Rafah is Hamas’ last major stronghold in the Gaza Strip, as its military claims to have already dismantled 18 of Hamas’ 24 battalions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “We will enter Rafah because we have no other choice.
“We will destroy the Hamas battalions there, we will accomplish all war objectives, including the return of all our hostages.”
The country believes that Hamas has five battalions in Rafah and that its ground forces must advance to destroy them.
Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, known as Bin Laden of Gaza, is believed to be held in tunnels beneath the city.
Around 1.4 million Palestinians – more than half of Gaza’s population – have sought refuge in Rafah, having fled cities, refugee camps and villages further north.
Israel has said it will evacuate civilians from the city before invading – but the US and air groups have warned it could be a bloodbath.
Its military claims to have purchased 40,000 tents, each with capacity for 10 to 12 people, to house Palestinians relocated from the city before the attack.
UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps last week told The Sun’s new World At War programme: “Bringing this to a conclusion is absolutely essential.
“It is in the interest of the Palestinian people.
“It is in Israel’s interest and in the world’s interest to see this happen.
“And the way to do that is to free the hostages, which started all of this.”
This comes amid fears in Israel that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant could receive arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
RAFAH’S ISRAELI INVASION
Satellite images from April showed Israel preparing its troops and military trucks for a potential six-week assault on Rafah.
Troops have been seen positioning themselves around the devastated Gaza Strip as an escalation of the war appears imminent despite ceasefire talks.
Israel is trying to end the horrific war while keeping civilian casualties low, they say.
More than a million Palestinians are hiding in Rafah after being driven from their homes during the six-month war.
Up to 800 vehicles can be seen at two separate bases in Gaza, according to satellite images from Planet Labs.
Around 700 trucks are in the southern Negev desert, while 120 are preparing on the northern border of the Gaza Strip.
The panoramic view of the strip – which shows a blanket of white tents – also reveals how Israel has utilized nine military posts cleverly positioned around the enclave.
Many believe that Israel is taking steps toward the city as they aim to launch a decisive attack on the area where they believe high-ranking Hamas cowards may be hiding.
Egyptian officials told the Wall Street Journal that at least the first two weeks will be completely dedicated to evacuating civilians.
They are more likely to be taken to nearby areas, such as Khan Younis, where there are many shelters and medical personnel available.
Around 1.4 million people took refuge in Rafah when the war began in October 2023 to escape senseless bombings, kidnappings and ground battles.
Israel will work alongside the US, Egypt and other Arab allies to transport residents safely, Egyptian officials say.
11
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
