Israel Gaza live updates: Israel strikes Rafah as fate of ceasefire deal hangs in balance - BBC News
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Further Discussions On Gaza Truce Predicted
Monday was an eventful day in terms of diplomacy, with several ups and downs.
Initially, Hamas declared that it had accepted a truce proposal designed via roundabout negotiations with the assistance of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
Israel immediately turned down the agreement, which hasn't been disclosed to the public.
Importantly, though, Israel announced that it will be dispatching a group of officials to Cairo to hold further (unmediated) discussions.
Qatar, the country where the leadership of Hamas is located, has verified that its representatives will come back on Tuesday.
The Qatari foreign ministry stated that on Tuesday morning, the delegation from Qatar would travel to Cairo to recommence indirect discussions between the two groups.
The statement mentioned that the envoys are optimistic that the negotiations will result in a prompt and lasting halt to the hostilities in Gaza.
'Rafah Faces New Massacre': Jordan's Warning
During a meeting between the King of Jordan and the United States, the former cautioned that any potential Israeli assault on Rafah could result in a dreadful tragedy. The details of the discussion were later revealed in a statement.
On Monday, while Joe Biden was holding a meeting with King Abdullah II at the White House, it was announced that there might be a possible ceasefire agreement.
The Jordanian notes indicate that the king cautioned against carrying out a military attack in Rafah, as it could lead to the conflict spreading across the region. He emphasized that it's crucial to prioritize the safety of civilians in Gaza.
According to a statement from Jordan, Abdullah expressed concern about the Israeli attack on Rafah. The area is home to over 1.4 million Palestinians who were forced to leave their homes during the Gaza conflict. He believes that this latest violence could result in another terrible tragedy, akin to a massacre.
The news release from the Jordanian royal court reported that the King strongly emphasized the significance of all attempts to achieve an instant cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
The two leaders have a great deal at stake in the ceasefire discussions and will likely wish for a swift establishment of a ceasefire.
Hamas Plans Three-phase Swap Deal For Prisoners
In a report from Reuters, a representative of Hamas in Gaza stated that the conditions for the ceasefire reached on Monday involve exchanging prisoners between Israel and Palestine in three separate stages.
At the moment, the information cannot be confirmed by the BBC alone, but the following are the facts:
The first phase will last for 42 days and will include a temporary cessation of fighting. During this time, Hamas will release 33 hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners that are currently detained in Israeli jails.
The plan would entail a partial removal of Israeli soldiers from Gaza and permitting Palestinians to travel freely from the south to the north.
The second phase entails a further 42-day truce where the aim is to bring about a lasting peace in Gaza, without the presence of Israeli troops.
It is also anticipated that Hamas will release Israeli reservists and a few soldiers who are captive in exchange for the liberation of Palestinian prisoners from prison.
The transfer of bodies will be finished, and the reconstruction process will commence following a blueprint supervised by Qatar, Egypt, and the UN.
This would also mark the conclusion of the total embargo on the Gaza Strip.
As we have previously mentioned, the specific information regarding the plan that Hamas has accepted is uncertain. Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, has stated that the proposal does not satisfy the requirements of Israel and that he will dispatch a delegation to Cairo to discuss further negotiations.
"US Aims To Thwart Israeli Operation In Rafah"
According to an unidentified official from the United States, the recent gunfire by Israel in eastern Rafah on Monday is not regarded as a significant military operation. This statement was reported by Reuters.
According to the spokesperson, the main priority of Washington is to prevent a large-scale military attack in the heavily populated regions of Rafah. As of now, it seems that the Israelis are not engaging in such an action.
Additional sources indicate that the Israeli actions on Monday endured for roughly half an hour. Nonetheless, we will provide you with further information on any subsequent occurrences, along with an analysis of any progress. Stick with us.
'No Deal, No Return' - Israeli Hostages
Earlier, we informed you that Israel was dispatching a group of representatives to Egypt to hold talks about a ceasefire deal. This move came after Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his disappointment with the current arrangement, stating that it was not up to par with what was expected.
The group in charge of the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters has expressed that the delegation should not come back unless a written agreement has been obtained.
The group expressed their approval of the Prime Minister and War Cabinet's quick thinking and choice to dispatch a team to negotiate. They did so in a brief comment.
The statement expressed a desire for the delegation to fully explore and address Hamas's position in order to reach a beneficial agreement for the release of all hostages.
The group is urging the negotiation team and the international partners to not come back without a deal being signed. This is the appropriate time to demand such action.
Israel Drops Leaflets For Rafah Evacuation
A video clip displays the occasion on Monday when Israeli military aircrafts released printed sheets over the eastern area of Rafah located in the southern territory of Gaza. The papers instructed inhabitants to move towards the northern region to flee the premises.
Approximately 100,000 individuals who reside in the eastern region of Rafah, which is located near the Israeli border, are being advised to relocate to bigger humanitarian areas in al-Mawasi and Khan Younis sections.
Gaza's Latest Developments In Pictures
Israeli Forces Urge Evacuation Of Rafah Amid Ongoing Attacks
Israeli authorities are instructing Palestinians to leave Rafah due to ongoing strikes in the area.
During a press conference, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the spokesperson for the IDF, stated that the residents of Gaza had been advised to relocate to a larger humanitarian zone located at Al-Mawasi and Khan Yunis. This particular area is situated about 10 kilometers to the north.
He spoke out and urged individuals staying in certain designated locations located in the eastern Rafah region to evacuate. These locations have been extensively communicated through multiple channels such as radio, media, internet, and flyers.
Rafah is the final area held by Hamas in Gaza, and it contains a large number of civilians who have been displaced.
Many world leaders have expressed their concern and disapproval of the possibility of Israel launching a military attack, which has resulted in widespread criticism. They have urged Netanyahu to reconsider his decision and refrain from carrying out the offensive.
The United Nations organization that assists Palestinian refugees stated that over one million individuals would suffer severe consequences as a result.
Latest Event Update
The current time in London is 10:00 pm and it's already midnight in the Middle East where there have been a lot of happenings in the last few hours. Let's take a look at the most recent updates:
Gaza Militants Launch Rockets At Israel
The military faction of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced that their fighters had fired rockets from Gaza towards the south of Israel on Monday as retaliation for the Israeli airstrikes that targeted the Palestinian land.
"We aimed our rockets at Sderot, Nir Am, and the communities in the Gaza region," declared a statement that was interpreted by the AFP news organization.
The area in southern Israel, which is near Gaza, is commonly known as the "Gaza envelope."
The PIJ stands for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and it is one of Gaza's biggest groups that arms themselves. Just like Hamas, the PIJ is considered a terrorist organization and is prohibited in various countries, including the UK.
As previously mentioned, alarms went off in southern Israel not too long ago and imagery displayed the Iron Dome safeguarding system destroying missiles that were approaching Israel.
Iron Dome Intercepts Missiles In Israel
Recently, we received these images from the Reuters news agency which seem to capture the time when projectiles fired from Gaza were halted by Israel's Iron Dome defense mechanism.
The purpose of Iron Dome is to provide security against fixed-range missiles and employs radar to monitor incoming projectiles.
Southern Israel Hears Siren Signals
There is a warning in southern Israel, near Gaza, for incoming rockets in Sderot, Ibim, Nir Am, Mefalsim, Gavim, and Sapir College. This information is coming from the real-time alert service @ILRedAlert on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Israel's official source for rocket attacks aimed towards their country is the Red Alert system. This alarm system is important for millions of Israelis to know whether they are at risk or not. Unfortunately, Hamas has not stopped with their aggressive behavior and kept launching rockets at Israel since October 7 and the start of the conflict in Gaza.
Hostage Families Protest, Block Tel Aviv Roads
The relatives of captives kept by Hamas in Gaza gathered in Tel Aviv and urged the government to make use of the ceasefire agreement to bring their loved ones back.
According to a statement by the Forum for Hostage and Missing Families, it is imperative that everyone involved in this situation fulfills their obligations to ensure that the opportunity at hand results in the safe return of all hostages.
Hamas has declared that it has accepted a truce agreement proposed by Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries for Gaza. However, the details of the agreement are not entirely known, and Netanyahu has stated that it is not satisfactory for Israel's needs.
The head of the Israeli government has announced that a group of representatives will be sent to engage in additional discussions.
As previously mentioned by our security specialist, Frank Gardner, demonstrations have been consistently occurring in cities throughout Israel for several months. Those participating in the protests have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Israeli government, stating that they feel its efforts are lacking.
There are still 128 hostages whose whereabouts are unknown, and it is believed that at least 34 people have died as a result of the Hamas attacks on Israel that occurred on October 7th.
"UN Urges Israel And Hamas To Make Extra Efforts For A Deal"
Here's another reaction from the UN secretary-general, António Guterres. He urges both the Israeli government and Hamas leaders to make an additional effort to reach an agreement.
According to a spokesperson, it has been said that Guterres is very worried about the news that there could be a big military operation occurring in Rafah soon.
He also reminds Israel and Hamas that safeguarding the wellbeing of civilians is of the utmost importance according to international humanitarian law.
"Hostage's Daughter Urges Israel To Accept Hamas Deal"
The family of an Israeli captive has responded to reports that Hamas has agreed to a proposal for a ceasefire with Israel.
An elderly woman named Yocheved Lifschitz, aged 85, was abducted by Hamas while living in Kibbutz Nir Oz located in the southern region of Israel on the seventh day of October. Later, towards the end of October 2023, she was thankfully released on humanitarian grounds.
Sharone's father, the 84-year-old Oded, remains in captivity. Upon hearing the announcement that Hamas has agreed to this ceasefire agreement, she insists that the Israeli government should also agree to it.
Sharone expresses her deep concern as she states that people have already suffered tremendous losses. She further adds that for those who are currently being held captive and are still breathing, it is crucial that they return home immediately.
According to her, the government representatives who are claiming that hostages are the main concern should prove their claims.
During Sharone's speech, it became apparent that the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had concerns about the agreement.
Israeli Delegation To Negotiate Abroad
As the assaults persist on Rafah tonight, Israel has announced its intention to dispatch a group to discuss the ceasefire agreement more thoroughly. This comes after asserting that the current terms fall short of meeting Israel's requirements.
On Monday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that this was affirmed.
The negotiations that led to Hamas' proposal were guided by Egypt and also included contributions from Qatar.
The contents of the agreement made by Hamas are not entirely certain, however, it is believed that it encompasses setting free captives and bringing back Palestinians who were uprooted within Gaza.
The military of Israel has declared that it's presently involved in carrying out strikes in the area of Rafah.
The Israeli military claims that they are carrying out precise attacks on Hamas in the eastern part of Rafah.
The IDF has given an assurance to provide further information about these attacks in the near future. Once we receive this information, we will make sure to update you promptly.
Netanyahu Vows To Persist With Rafah Mission In Israel
After a lot of movement regarding Hamas agreeing to a proposal for a temporary stoppage of hostilities, it appears that it will not make much difference to the ongoing operation in Rafah.
The leader of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced that the war cabinet has decided to persist in their efforts to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.
He states that although the suggested proposal does not fulfill Israel's expectations, a team will be dispatched to engage in negotiations.
US Opposes Israel's Al Jazeera Ban, Kirby Says
Writing from the Presidential Palace
We have some additional news from the White House press conference that has been taking place (refer to our previous blog posts).
Apart from being asked some questions about Rafah and a probable truce, John Kirby - the US national security representative - was also inquired about the closure of the Al Jazeera network by Israeli authorities.
Kirby has reacted by stating that the United States does not endorse such a behaviour. He emphasized that the contribution of independent media is crucial and should not be underestimated. He also mentioned that it plays a significant role in informing the decision-making process.
According to Kirby, during the call between Biden and Netanyahu, the Israeli attack on Al Jazeera and its headquarters in Jerusalem did not receive any significant attention.
During the call, the main topic discussed was about a negotiation to release hostages and the city of Rafah was also mentioned.
Hostage Release And No More Hostilities In Deal
According to a high-ranking Palestinian representative who is knowledgeable about the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas has committed to permanently halt all aggressive actions on the condition that the stipulations of the peace agreement are fulfilled.
The statement suggests that Hamas is possibly considering putting an end to their use of weapons, but no additional information has been given. This change would take place following a two-part agreement to stop fighting.
The plan includes two parts, each of which lasts for 42 days. The second part is aimed to end with a time of peace that will last for a long period, during which the blockade of Gaza will be lifted completely, and the situation in the region will become stable.
At the initial phase, the rest of the Israeli women soldiers who are being detained as captives will be liberated. This will be done as a swap for 50 Palestinian inmates, with some amongst them being imprisoned for life.
Throughout this time, the Israeli soldiers will stay put in Gaza. However, exactly 11 days after the ceasefire has been put into effect, Israel will commence the act of taking apart its military structures located in the heart of the Gaza Strip. Along with that, they will also pull back from Salahuddin Road as well as the Coastal Road.
In a span of 11 days, the residents of the northern Gaza strip will once again be given permission to come back.
