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Benjamin Netanyahu announced the strikes on Rafah on Monday (Image: Getty)
Israeli forces launched a military operation in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip, on Monday, targeting multiple locations despite ongoing ceasefire talks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the proposed cease-fire did not meet Israel's key demands, even though Hamas had accepted the Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal earlier in the day.
The decision came despite opposition from the United States and other key Israeli allies.
The southern Gaza city of Rafah is home to about 1.4 million Palestinians, over half of Gaza's population.
The announcement of the ceasefire by Hamas had sparked celebrations in Rafah, suggesting hope among residents that an invasion might be averted.
However, the subsequent Israeli strike has shattered these hopes, escalating tensions in the region.
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Israel to send negotiating delegation
IDF convinced Rafah is an important Hamas base
Israel says Rafah is the last significant Hamas stronghold in Gaza, and Netanyahu said Monday that the offensive against the town was vital to ensuring the militants can’t rebuild their military capabilities.
Palestinians fled Rafah ahead of the strikes
Thousands of Palestinians began leaving Rafah ahead of the Israeli strikes after warnings of evacuation.
Palestinians leaving Rafah (Image: Getty)
The IDF urged Palestinians to flee Rafah on Sunday (Image: Getty)
Hamas approved Qatar-Egypt ceasefire proposal
Ahead of Israel's strikes on Rafah, Hamas said in a statement it had accepted an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a ceasefire to halt the seven-month-long war with Israel in Gaza.
Details of the proposal had not been released. Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israel would continue its operations in Gaza as Israeli officials deliberate the ceasefire proposal approved by Hamas. And the Israeli War Cabinet voted unanimously to approve a Rafah military operation but will continue ceasefire efforts.
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