Israel claims control of Rafah crossing
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israel Defense Forces have successfully taken control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing. He labeled this operation as a significant advancement towards undermining the military and economic structure of Hamas. The Rafah crossing, pivotal for its geographic location, serves as a principal conduit for aid to the Gaza Strip and an escape route to Egypt for those fleeing the conflict. The military operation unfolded shortly after Palestinians had presumed a deal had been made between Israel and Hamas. Ground forces entered the Gaza Strip through the Philadelphia Corridor, a demilitarized zone established under the Israeli-Egyptian Peace Treaty of 1979, which spans 14 kilometers along the border with Egypt. This move into the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing highlights the escalating tensions and the ongoing conflict in the region. According to estimates from the United Nations, approximately 1.5 million people are seeking refuge from the war in Rafah. Amid these developments, an Israeli government spokesperson articulated that the path to resolving the conflict rests on Hamas' willingness to disarm and release hostages. The spokesperson emphasized that any resolution allowing Hamas to maintain power is not acceptable to Israel, underscoring the complexity of ceasefire negotiations and the challenging road ahead for peace in the region.