As Hostage Deal Remains Unclear, IDF Launches Targeted Operation in Rafah

The IDF forces are currently attacking and operating against Hamas targets in the eastern part of Rafah, which it began evacuating early yesterday morning (Monday), and have assumed control over the strategic Rafah crossing. Palestinian media reports heavy artillery fire. 

This targeted operation began soon after Hamas submitted its official response to the latest ceasefire and hostage deal mediated by Egypt and Qatar, which Israel says is far from the terms to which it agreed. 

Following Hamas’ response – which, among other problematic issues includes the release of only three hostages a week – the Israeli War Cabinet met last night and decided that Israel will continue its operation in Rafah, “in order to apply military pressure on Hamas so as to advance the release of our hostages and achieve the other objectives of the war,” according to an official statement by the Prime Minister’s Office. 

“While the Hamas proposal is far from meeting Israel's core demands, Israel will dispatch a ranking delegation to Egypt in an effort to maximize the possibility of reaching an agreement on terms acceptable to Israel.”

Many Israelis, including family members of those held hostage in Gaza, took to the streets all over the country last night to call for accepting the deal and to express their concerns that PM Netanyahu is only interested in his political survival, even at the expense of saving the hostages. In several locations, violent interactions with the police took place. 

132 hostages - including women, children, sick, and elderly - have been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7th. It is unknown how many are still alive. 

This morning, Israel’s N12 quoted a US official who said that, while the government is concerned about a large-scale operation in Rafah, it doesn’t seem to be the case at present. “The US has made its position very clear,” said the official.