Israel: Rafah operation has begun

Following Hamas's announcement that it had approved the "ceasefire proposals" conveyed by Qatar and Egypt, the Israeli War Cabinet decided to continue operations in Rafah.

In a statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), it was reported that the military is conducting precise, targeted strikes against Hamas terror targets in eastern Rafah.

The statement included the following: "The War Cabinet has unanimously decided that Israel will continue its 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."

Israeli Army Spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced that they had carried out airstrikes on more than 50 locations in the southern city of Rafah, where approximately 1.5 million people who fled the attacks in the Gaza Strip have taken refuge.

Hagari made a statement regarding Israel's attacks on Rafah during a press conference.

Stating that they had carried out airstrikes on more than 50 areas in the city of Rafah, where approximately 1.5 million Palestinians who fled Israel's attacks in Gaza have taken refuge, Hagari claimed that the targeted locations belonged to Hamas.

Hagari said the strikes occurred at a time when the military is preparing for a ground offensive in eastern Rafah.

CEASEFIRE WITH HAMAS

Speaking about Hamas's approval of the "ceasefire proposals with Israel," Hagari said, "The military is examining every response with great seriousness."

Hagari noted that the military is evaluating all possibilities and opportunities regarding negotiations with Hamas and the return of Israeli hostages to their homes as soon as possible.

The Army Spokesperson added that they would continue "operations" in Gaza.

In a statement made in the morning, the Israeli military had requested the evacuation of certain neighborhoods in eastern Rafah, where forcibly displaced Palestinians have taken refuge.

According to reports from Israeli Army Radio, approximately 100,000 Palestinians were residing in the area in eastern Rafah that was ordered to be evacuated.

Forced migration has begun in the eastern part of the region due to concerns that the Israeli military will also launch a ground offensive into Rafah.

The area that the Israeli military has demanded be evacuated also includes the Rafah border crossing on the Egyptian border, which is the main entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza and the only crossing point used by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to travel abroad for medical treatment and other purposes.