Gaza
Israel launches new offensive in Rafah: "Bombs non-stop"
Emil Forsberg
Published 2024-05-06 21.20
Earlier on Monday, Israeli bombs were seen falling on the town of Rafah in southern Gaza. Photo: Ismael Abu Dayyah / AP
Israel has launched a new offensive against Rafah.
The military states that airstrikes are being carried out against the area.
"We're talking non-stop bombing," says Al Jazeera reporter Tareq Abu Azzoum.
Israel is continuing plans for a ground offensive in Rafah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference on Monday evening.
According to Netayahu, the aim is to get Hamas to release the people being held hostage.
At the same time, the Israeli military IDF states that it is carrying out airstrikes against Hamas.
"The IDF is currently conducting targeted strikes against Hamas terror targets in East Rafah in southern Gaza”.
Heavy explosions have been reported, according to local media.
"We are talking non-stop bombing of residential buildings. The vast majority of residents have started to flee," Al Jazeera reporter Al Jazeera-reporter Tareq Abu Azzoum writes.
Tanks have also rolled across the border and shelled buildings, according to Al Arabiya.
Earlier in the day, Israel called on 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate the city, signaling that a long-promised ground invasion is on the way.
Hamas approved a ceasefire proposal on Monday, and people celebrated in the streets of Rafah. Israel later announced that it did not approve the proposal. Photo: Abdel Kareem Hana / AP
Warns of new massacre
Jordan's King Abdullah II warns that the Israeli attack could lead to new massacres.
Hamas stated earlier on Monday afternoon that it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar.
Israel is reviewing the proposals, but according to Netanyahu's office, they are "far from Israel's basic requirements".
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also states that the proposal is being evaluated.
- We still believe that an agreement on the hostages is in the best interests of the Israeli people, and in the best interests of the Palestinian people, he says according to AFP.
The details of the ceasefire agreement are still unknown. But according to AP, it is about Hamas releasing the hostages if the Israeli military gradually withdraws.
Jordan's King Abdullah II warns that the Israeli attack could lead to new massacres.
Hamas stated earlier on Monday afternoon that it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar.
Israel is reviewing the proposals, but according to Netanyahu's office, they are "far from Israel's basic requirements".
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also states that the proposal is being evaluated.
- We still believe that an agreement on the hostages is in the best interests of the Israeli people, and in the best interests of the Palestinian people, he says according to AFP.
The details of the ceasefire agreement are still unknown. But according to AP, it is about Hamas releasing the hostages if the Israeli military gradually withdraws.
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