Rafah, the city sheltering 1.4 million Palestinian refugees, is currently under Israel’s captivity.
It comes after Israel rejected the 3 phase ceasefire deal because it was unacceptable for its terms had been “softened.” Via a post on X, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said that it had gained “operational control” of the Palestinian side of the Rafah Border Crossing.
The Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanhayu, defended the move by stating that it was an “important step” towards dismantling Hamas’ military and governing capabilities, apparently conforming to his vow — “we will eliminate Hamas’ battalions there(Rafah) — with or without a deal.”
The 3 phase ceasefire deal
Negotiations for a ceasefire conducted in Cairo had almost come to fruition with the 3 phased deal proposal, constituting of:
Phase 1: A 42 day ceasefire during which Hamas would return 33 Israeli hostages, alive or dead, in exchange for 30 women and children for each released Israeli hostage. Also intensive quantities of humanitarian aid would be allowed to arrive in northern Gaza. Gradually, fights on Gaza strip would come to halt with cessation for 10 hours per day.
Phase 2: Another 42 days agreement to restore “sustainable calm” in Gaza following the complete withdrawal of most Israeli troops from Gaza.
Phase 3: An end of Israeli blockade in Gaza and the implementation of a 3-5 year plan to restore life in Gaza.
Even as Hamas announced its acceptance of an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a ceasefire to halt the seven-month-long war with Israel in Gaza, the deal remains uncertain with Israel pushing ahead with a military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Izzat El-Reshiq, a member of Hamas’ political office in Qatar, told Reuters in a statement late on Wednesday that the group would not go beyond a ceasefire proposal it accepted on Monday, which would also entail the release of some Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian women and children detained in Israel.
Situation in Rafah
A video footage on social media, displayed the presence of military tanks with blue and white Israeli flags patrolling the ruins in the Gazan side of Rafah. An AP report also stated that sporadic explosions and gunfire could be heard in the area at night, including two large blasts in early morning on Wednesday.
ציר פילדלפי pic.twitter.com/L6ZUkpXzLQ
— ינון מגל (@YinonMagal) May 7, 2024
“Israel isn’t serious about reaching an agreement and it is using the negotiation as a cover to invade Rafah and occupy the crossing,” said Reshiq.
In an update post on X a few hours ago, the IDF claimed it has eliminated the Commander of Hamas Naval Unit, Ahmed Ali during a joint IDF and ISA (Israeli Security Agency) operation.
Bomb Shipment to Israel halted over Rafah concerns
Since concerns of Rafah assault, Joe Biden, the US President had been constantly urging Israeli PM Benjamin Netanhayu against launching any military operation in Rafah. Nevertheless, the Israeli PM, paying no heed to the request, moved ahead with his plan.
This sparked a reaction of the American authorities, as they have currently stalled all bomb shipments to Israel – US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed it during May 8 hearing of the US Senate Appropriations Committee. According to their planned weapon shipment, the US was supposed to send over 1800 bombs weighing 2000 pounds and 1700 of 500 pound bombs.
Today, I testified before the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee in support of President Biden’s proposed FY25 budget for DoD. Our military is the most lethal fighting force on Earth. The timely passage of the FY25 budget will ensure we keep it that way. pic.twitter.com/dAqJq1ogJS
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) May 8, 2024
The IDF is evidently not happy with the move. Calling out the “immoral expectation” of the US authorities, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said, “For us not to operate would mean we would be surrendering to Hamas and their heinous intentions.” The Israeli colonel had also appeared on CNN to discuss the operation, global concerns, our efforts to evacuate civilians from harm’s way and the continued humanitarian effort while we work to bring home the 132 hostages and dismantle Hamas as a governing authority of the Gaza Strip. “
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