The Israeli military engaged in “targeted strikes” that were directed at Hamas positions in eastern Rafah Monday night, according to a press release from the country’s prime minister’s office.
"The War Cabinet unanimously decided that Israel continues the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas in order to promote the release of our hostages and the other goals of the war," the statement said.
Earlier in the day, Jerusalem announced that they were directing the evacuation of 100,000 civilians towards demilitarized areas near the Egyptian border.
Later reports indicated that after the aerial preparations, IDF infantry and armor units were operating within 200 meters of Rafah’s crossing with Egypt, with Axios reporting that their goal was to take control of the nearby border entry.
The attacks on the Gazan city were conducted as Hamas negotiators announced that they would accept a three-phase ceasefire proposal by Egypt and Qatar. This action by the terror group was described to Ynet as “an exercise by Hamas meant to present Israel as the refuser” by a senior official of the Jewish state.
Following the news of the military offensive, the White House announced that U.S. President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm his administration’s position against any incursions in the area.
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