What's happened
Israeli forces have seized control of the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, intensifying their offensive in the southern city despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The move follows a rocket attack by Hamas on Israeli forces near the Kerem Shalom crossing, prompting Israel to close the crossing. The Israeli military has since established operational control over Rafah, a crucial route for humanitarian aid, and continues its offensive amid international concerns.
Why it matters
The seizure of the Rafah crossing by Israeli forces is a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. This move not only disrupts the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza but also heightens the humanitarian crisis in the region. The offensive in Rafah, a densely populated area, raises concerns about civilian casualties and displacement. The international community is closely watching these developments, as they could impact regional stability and the prospects for a ceasefire. For readers, understanding this conflict is crucial as it affects global geopolitics and humanitarian efforts.
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli military's control over the Rafah crossing has cut off a vital route for humanitarian aid and potential sanctuary for civilians. The Times of Israel describes the operation as a 'pinpoint' action against Hamas, aimed at pressuring the group to accept a ceasefire deal. The New York Times highlights the impact of the rocket attack by Hamas on the Kerem Shalom crossing, which led to its closure and further strained the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Scotsman reports on the high-stakes diplomatic moves and military brinkmanship that have left the ceasefire negotiations on a knife's edge.
How we got here
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for several months, with both sides engaging in military actions and retaliations. The Rafah crossing, located on the border between Gaza and Egypt, is a critical point for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Recently, Hamas fired rockets at Israeli forces near the Kerem Shalom crossing, leading to its closure by Israel. This escalation has occurred amid ceasefire negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar, with both sides struggling to reach an agreement that meets their core demands.
Common question
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Rafah is a Palestinian city in the southern Gaza Strip. It is the district capital of the Rafah Governorate, located 30 kilometers south of Gaza City. Rafah's population of 152,950 is overwhelmingly made up of former Palestinian refugees.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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