An Israeli operation in Rafah is aimed at maintaining pressure on Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and a hostage release, according to a source familiar with Israeli plans. The operation, described as 'very limited,' is not the larger incursion into Rafah that Israel has been indicating publicly for weeks.
Israel had informed the US about the plans to evacuate the eastern Rafah area and carry out the operation before a call between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
Israeli airstrikes in Rafah early Tuesday resulted in multiple casualties, as reported by Palestinian officials. This came after Israel reiterated its commitment to an offensive in southern Gaza, stating that the ceasefire terms proposed by Hamas were not meeting its demands. Israel is set to send a delegation for further discussions, with Qatar announcing that talks would resume on Tuesday.
