Topline
The Israeli military struck eastern Rafah on Monday—just hours after Hamas agreed to a cease-fire proposal negotiated by Egypt and Qatar, but Israel claimed the framework was not the deal it proposed.
Key Facts
“The IDF is currently conducting targeted strikes against Hamas terror targets in eastern Rafah in southern Gaza,” the Israel Defense Forces announced in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The strikes came after Israel’s war cabinet “unanimously decided that Israel continue the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas in order to advance the release of our hostages and the other goals of the war,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed to Reuters.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari also confirmed that the military was “operating against the targets of the terrorist organization Hamas” in the region.
Crucial Quote
“Even though Hamas’ proposal is far from Israel’s necessary requirements, Israel will send a working level delegation to the mediators,” Netanyahu’s office said of cease-fire negotiations, according to CNN.