Israel outlines4 issues with ceasefire deal as IDF seizes Rafah crossing in Gaza

According to Rael, Rafah is Hamas’ last stronghold, but the US opposes a full-scale invasion until Israel produces a “credible” strategy for protecting residents there.

An anonymous Israeli insider told the Independent that Israel has identified four fundamental concerns with a ceasefire plan proposed by Qatar and Egypt, which Hamas has accepted.

According to sources, Israel objects to four sections of the proposal, including a call for a permanent ceasefire and a clause stating the bodies of Israeli hostages could be replaced for life hostages if they are not found.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces acknowledged that they have taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza, which borders Egypt. Tanks from the 401st Brigade were seen moving into the area.

Issues with ceasefire deal:

Israel rejected the accord yesterday night, calling it “unacceptable” and alleging it is a watered version of a prior arrangement proposed by mediators. Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that a negotiating team has been deployed to Cairo, Egypt, to analyze the plan’s conditions.

Israel considers Rafah as Hamas’ final stronghold, but the US opposes a full-scale invasion until Israel produces a “credible” strategy for protecting civilians in the city. According to a spokeswoman for the Health Ministry, intense Israeli bombings in the area caused the evacuation of a major hospital in Rafah on Tuesday.

The violence in Gaza has displaced about 80% of the region’s 2.3 million people and caused substantial damage to homes, medical facilities, mosques, and educational institutions in many cities. Local health officials say the dead toll in Gaza has topped 34,500 people.

The conflict began on October 7 when Hamas launched an offensive on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people, the majority of them were civilians, and kidnapping approximately 250 more. According to Israel, extremists are still holding about 100 hostages, as well as the corpses of over 30 more.

According to White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, the action along the Gaza-Egypt border in eastern Rafah was not a full-scale invasion of the city, as President Joe Biden has repeatedly warned against on humanitarian grounds. He stated that Israel had defined it as “an operation of limited scale and duration” aimed at preventing Hamas weaponry smuggling.

Kirby also voiced optimism about the negotiations, saying Israel and Hamas “should be able to close the remaining gaps” to reach an agreement, but did not provide a date. He stated that CIA Director William Burns will attend additional negotiations in Cairo with representatives from Israel, Egypt, and Qatar. Hamas has also sent a delegation to Cairo, where they will meet separately with the Arab mediators.

Biden cautioned Netanyahu again on Monday not to launch an assault of Rafah after Israel ordered 100,000 Palestinians to vacate portions of the city. But Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners have threatened to pull down his government if he abandons the offensive or makes too many concessions in cease-fire talks.

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