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As the Middle East prepares for another day of confrontation, negotiators from Israel and Hamas are meeting in Cairo to discuss a ceasefire agreement. Despite continued military operations against Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent delegations to the talks in an attempt to reach a truce.
The seizure of the Rafah crossing by Israeli tanks and troops has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the United Nations warning that the situation will worsen as a result of these actions. The move does not represent a full ground invasion that Israel had previously threatened, but it could increase pressure on Palestinian militants.
The director of a hospital in Rafah reported 27 dead and 150 wounded since the incursion began. Tel Aviv troops claimed they killed around 20 Hamas militants. International condemnation has followed the seizure of the Rafah crossing, with many officials and observers expressing concern over the escalation of violence.
President Biden has suspended an arms shipment to Israel to prevent US-made weapons from being used in the assault on Rafah. Activists and family members of hostages have blocked a highway to Tel Aviv, demanding an agreement with Hamas for the release of captives. CIA head William Burns is set to visit Israel for talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Despite ongoing threats posed by Hamas, an IDF spokesperson stated that the conflict in Gaza may last up to a year due to the difficulty of the situation. The spokesperson emphasized Israel’s commitment to responding to terrorism wherever it may arise.
