Despite discussions of a potential ceasefire deal to release hostages, Israel launched airstrikes on Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, on Monday night.
This move occurred after Hamas indicated its acceptance of a ceasefire-for-hostage exchange, but Israeli officials expressed skepticism and insisted on continuing their military campaign.
As the strikes began, the residents of Rafah—already a refuge for over a million Palestinians—were thrown into disarray.
Earlier in the day, Israel ordered the evacuation of parts of the city, prompting a mass exodus of thousands.
This shift created confusion and fear among residents who, after hearing about the possible ceasefire, were dismayed by Israel’s skeptical reaction and subsequent airstrikes.
Israeli military sources claimed that the night-time attacks targeted Hamas elements in Rafah.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that Israeli tanks had moved close to the Rafah crossing, the only entry and exit point between Egypt and Gaza for humanitarian aid and people.
Although the exact military intentions were unclear, the mere presence of tanks near the crossing was alarming for Egypt, concerned about a potential influx of Palestinian refugees into its territory.
Despite the unfolding conflict, negotiations for a ceasefire continued in Cairo with mediation by Egyptian and Qatari officials.
The Israeli war cabinet remained committed to exerting military pressure on Hamas in Rafah to push forward with hostage negotiations.
Meanwhile, Hamas announced a version of a ceasefire deal that suggested a phased approach to the reconstruction of Gaza, prisoner swaps, and the return of displaced people to their homes.
The Israeli side, however, expressed doubts about the details of the Hamas proposal.
An unnamed Israeli official mentioned that some terms put forward by Hamas “don’t recognize some” aspects agreed upon in previous negotiations.
Further, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that the terms outlined by Hamas didn’t align with his government’s demands.
As the conflict escalated, people across Israel gathered to demand an immediate hostage deal, and protests occurred in several cities.
The US also showed concern about the ongoing strikes in Rafah, with President Joe Biden reiterating that the Israeli response must ensure adequate humanitarian plans for the civilians in the region.
The overall uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire deal led to a mix of emotions among Palestinians and Israelis alike. In Gaza, families fled Rafah on foot, on donkeys, or in overloaded trucks after receiving evacuation orders from the Israeli military.
International humanitarian organizations warned of dire consequences if the conflict intensified, with the United Nations stating that further Israeli military action would “lead to an additional layer of an already unbearable tragedy for the people in Gaza.”
These events underscored the high stakes involved in the negotiations, with both sides far from reaching an agreement on the duration and permanence of any ceasefire.
Israel’s ongoing pressure on Hamas and the uncertain future of Gaza’s civilians remained at the heart of the conflict’s unresolved tensions.
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