Hamas has agreed to an Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal, but Israel has stated the deal does not meet its primary demands and will continue its offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Despite this, Israel indicated it would persist with negotiations.
Hamas's sudden agreement to the truce came hours after Israel ordered the evacuation of approximately 100,000 Palestinians from Rafah's eastern neighborhoods, suggesting an invasion was forthcoming.
Late Monday, Israeli airstrikes struck various parts of Rafah, causing at least five fatalities, including a child and a woman, according to hospital officials. The Israeli military did not provide any comment on the attacks.
Following Hamas's acceptance of the cease-fire proposal, Israel's War Cabinet resolved to continue the Rafah operation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated. While acknowledging that the proposal falls short of meeting Israel's essential demands, Israel will send negotiators to Egypt to work on an agreement. Qatar announced plans to dispatch a team to Egypt later on Monday.
