Israeli Forces Gain Control of a Key Rafah Crossing
Summary from the AllSides News Team
On Tuesday, an Israeli tank brigade entered and gained control of the Gaza Strip side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
Key Details: The action is a move forward with an Israeli offensive in Rafah while ceasefire negotiations are in flux with Hamas. Israel has insisted that the recent Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal, which Hamas has accepted, does not meet its core demands.
Key Quote: In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported, "Following intelligence that indicated that the Gazan side of the Rafah Crossing was being used for terrorist purposes, IDF troops managed to establish operational control of the crossing. Special forces are currently carrying out scans in the area."
For Context: On Monday, the Israeli military told Palestinian citizens to evacuate eastern Rafah after Israeli intelligence showed the area was being used for "terrorist purposes."
How the Media Covered it: Some sources on the left and center said that Israel "seized" the Rafah crossing, but most sources on the right did not use that term.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Israeli troops gain operational control of Gazan side of Rafah Crossing, IDF says
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Tuesday that it has gained operational control of the Gazan side of the Rafah Crossing.
The IDF released a statement saying its forces began a "precise counterterrorism operation" in eastern Rafah.
Acting upon intelligence showing the area was being used for "terrorist purposes," IDF troops obtained operational control of the Gazan side of the Rafah Crossing, the statement said.
Intelligence gathered by the IDF and the Israel Securities Authority prompted the operation aimed at killing Hamas terrorists and dismantling "Hamas terrorist infrastructure within specific areas of eastern...
From the Left
Israeli forces seize Rafah crossing in Gaza, threatening aid and putting cease-fire talks on edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The U.N. warned of a potential collapse of the flow of aid to Palestinians from the closure of Rafah and the other main crossing into Gaza, Kerem Shalom, at a time when officials say the northern part of the enclave is already experiencing “full-blown famine.”
The Israeli foray overnight came after hours of whiplash in...
From the Center
Israeli Forces Seize Key Gaza Crossing Amid Revived Truce Talks
Israel sent tanks into Rafah and took control of the Gazan side of a key crossing to Egypt, securing a strategic corridor as high-stakes negotiations for a truce and hostage releases intensified.
Israeli military footage showed its tanks moving in on the Rafah crossing. The development followed a series of airstrikes against Hamas targets and warnings for civilians in the eastern part of Rafah to evacuate to zones in the west, as it ramps up preparations for a military offensive in the border city.
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