The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on the morning of 7 May that its tanks and ground troops are now in control of the Gazan side of Rafah Crossing. Israel’s decision to invade the Palestinian side of Rafah effectively shuts down the crossing and prevents any urgent humanitarian aid from entering the city. A separate IDF operation also resulted in Israel exercising control over Salah Al-Din Road, a significant road leading up to the crossing bordering Egypt. Israel’s military offensive comes shortly after Hamas agreed to the most recent ceasefire terms presented by a joint Qatari-Egyptian delegation in Cairo on 5 May – a pivotal moment so far ignored by the Israeli war cabinet in favour of a Rafah operation. Israel responded by saying the terms did not meet their demands, opting to press on with the Rafah ground invasion. Despite its initial refusal, Israel said confirmed it would send a delegation to further discuss the terms. RAFAH: FORMERLY THE LAST SAFE ZONE Israel’s decision to invade Gaza’s southernmost city was seen as imminent by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the beginning of the war on Gaza. Rafah was…
