Israel Launches Strikes on Rafah Amid Cease-fire Talks
Israeli forces initiated airstrikes on the southern city of Rafah, where a large number of civilians have sought refuge. The decision came following a unanimous agreement by the Israeli War Cabinet, aiming to apply military pressure on Hamas to secure the release of hostages and achieve other war objectives.
Despite Hamas endorsing a cease-fire proposal brokered by Qatar and Egypt, Israel continued its offensive in Rafah. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that while the Hamas proposal falls short of Israeli demands, Israel would engage in talks through mediators to explore potential agreements.
The military actions in Rafah contradicted repeated warnings from the U.S. administration against such attacks, expressing concerns over the safety of over a million innocent civilians in the area. President Biden conveyed these concerns directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call.
In response to the situation, the U.S. temporarily halted a shipment of weapons to Israel. Additionally, the White House is assessing the Qatari-Egyptian cease-fire proposal and is expected to discuss it with relevant parties, including Egypt, Qatar, and Israel.
The proposed cease-fire entails the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages, coupled with a permanent cessation of Israeli military operations in Gaza. Negotiations for hostage release intensified over the weekend, facilitated by U.S. CIA Director William Burns, alongside mediators from Egypt and Qatar, continuing into Monday following Hamas’ announcement.
