Israeli tanks and ground forces have reportedly secured the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza while Israeli airstrikes targeted various locations in Rafah. The Palestinian Civil Defense confirmed that their teams have recovered bodies and transported injured survivors from the rubble of homes bombed overnight. Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah received 11 bodies, while Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that eight Palestinians were killed in two separate attacks.
The strikes are part of a broader Israeli military operation in southern Gaza to exert pressure on Hamas. The Israeli War Cabinet reaffirmed its decision to continue the operation, despite calls from the international community to exercise restraint. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they are conducting “targeted strikes” against Hamas targets in eastern Rafah, which resulted in at least 26 casualties from Sunday through early Monday.
The Sound of Israeli Tanks and Helicopters alongside Gunfire and Explosions can be heard in Live Footage from the Egyptian Side of the Rafah Border Crossing, pic.twitter.com/50X2I1si6N
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 6, 2024
During the same period, sounds of gunfire were reported near the Rafah border crossing. Video footage captured apparent gunfire sounds at around 1:33 a.m. local time, the precise source remains unclear.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described a potential ground invasion of Rafah as “intolerable,” warning of devastating humanitarian consequences. The UN chief has urged both Israel and Hamas to intensify efforts toward a ceasefire agreement. The White House reiterated its opposition to a ground invasion of Rafah and emphasized that further escalation would destabilize the region.
Diplomatic efforts continue to try to bring an end to the violence. The CIA Director, Bill Burns, worked closely with Qatari and Egyptian mediators in refining a ceasefire proposal that Hamas responded to positively. This updated framework, reportedly shared with Hamas, outlines a phased plan including the release of 33 Israeli hostages over 42 days. Hamas, however, presented amendments to this proposal that require further negotiation with Israel, prompting additional meetings in Cairo involving a Qatari delegation and Israeli experts.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 6, 2024
Palestinians in Gaza celebrate the Hamas announcement that they agree to the ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt & Qatar.
However, that deal contains elements Israel finds unacceptable.
There is no ceasefire coming, Rafah invasion about to happen pic.twitter.com/09woeWsWnC
According to the proposed agreement, the first phase involves releasing specific hostages and Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops. This phase also includes a temporary reduction in reconnaissance flights over Gaza and the rebuilding of critical infrastructure like hospitals and the electric grid. A “sustainable period of calm” and the release of remaining hostages will be tackled in the second phase.
Meanwhile, over one million displaced Palestinians remain in Rafah, grappling with the fallout of seven months of warfare. Aid agencies have sounded the alarm about deteriorating conditions in refugee camps, with shelter, food, water, and healthcare already in short supply. Although Israel expanded the Muwasi humanitarian zone on Gaza’s coast, the facility struggles to accommodate the increasing numbers of displaced Palestinians.
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