May 08 Israel says it's reopened key Kerem Shalom Gaza crossing but the UN says no aid has entered By Joseph Krauss, Samy Magdy, Melanie Lidman, Associated Press The Kerem Shalom terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby. Continue reading
May 07 Watch 4:25 Israel seizes Gaza border crossing as cease-fire and hostage deal hangs in the balance By Nick Schifrin, Zeba Warsi, Dan Sagalyn Delegations from Israel and Hamas returned to Cairo to resume fraught negotiations over a potential cease-fire and hostage deal. Meantime, Israeli tanks and troops seized the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, delaying aid shipments as 1.2 million Palestinians shelter in… Continue watching
May 07 Watch 5:40 How Israel's operation in Rafah affects aid for Palestinians and cease-fire talks By Amna Nawaz, Zeba Warsi An Israeli delegation arrived in Cairo for crucial cease-fire talks a day after Hamas said it had accepted an Egyptian-Qatari proposal. To explore what could happen next, Amna Nawaz spoke with Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf… Continue watching
May 07 What Israel's assault on Rafah means for the 1.3 million Palestinians sheltering there By Julia Frankel, Melanie Lidman, Jack Jeffery, Associated Press The operation that began Tuesday followed a dramatic 24 hours in which hopes for a long-awaited cease-fire between Israel and Hamas rose and then fell, though negotiators were still talking. Continue reading
May 07 Israeli forces take control of Rafah crossing in Gaza, compromising cease-fire talks By Samy Magdy, Melanie Lidman, Lee Keath, Associated Press U.S. President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again on Monday against launching an invasion of the city after Israel ordered 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate from parts of Rafah. Continue reading
May 06 Watch 11:01 Israel launches operation into Rafah, says cease-fire agreement not reached with Hamas By Nick Schifrin, William Brangham, Dan Sagalyn It is a delicate and momentous day in the Middle East. The Israeli military says it has launched a new operation into parts of Rafah in southern Gaza. At the same time, the Israeli government says it's continuing negotiations to… Continue watching
May 06 Israel strikes targets in Rafah, hours after Hamas agrees to a cease-fire By Sam Mednick, Josef Federman, Bassem Mroue, Associated Press The high-stakes diplomatic moves and military brinkmanship left a glimmer of hope alive — but only barely — for an accord that could bring at least a pause in the 7-month-old war that has devastated the Gaza Strip. Continue reading
May 06 Biden reiterates concern about Rafah offensive on call to Netanyahu By Zeke Miller, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press President Joe Biden also underscored to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he believes reaching a cease-fire with Hamas is the best way to protect the lives of hostages held in Gaza, according to White House officials, who were not… Continue reading
May 06 Palestinians ordered to evacuate parts of Rafah ahead of Israel's expected assault By Sam Mednick, Josef Federman, Bassem Mroue, Associated Press The looming operation in the city — where more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering and a high number of deaths is feared — has raised global alarm and Israeli's closest allies have warned against it. Continue reading
Apr 30 Netanyahu determined to invade Rafah despite ongoing cease-fire talks with Hamas By Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press With more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people sheltering in Rafah, the international community, including Israel' top ally the U.S., has warned Israel against any offensive that puts civilians at risk. Continue reading