WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden again urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as Israel on Monday appeared to be moving closer to a major military operation to root out Hamas militants.
But soon after Israel announced that it was ordering about 100,000 Palestinians to begin evacuating from Rafah, Hamas said in a statement it has accepted an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a cease-fire to halt the seven-month-long war with Israel in Gaza.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israel will continue its operations in Gaza as officials deliberate the cease-fire proposal approved by Hamas. And the Israeli War Cabinet voted unanimously to approve a Rafah military operation but will continue cease-fire efforts.
The Israeli military also said it was conducting “targeted strikes” against Hamas in eastern Rafah. The nature of the strikes was not immediately known, but the move appeared aimed at keeping the pressure on as talks continue.
In pictures: Solar eclipse across North America
Pharmac inks deal with GlaxoSmithKline for new cancer, HIV and COPD drugs
Hong Kong struggles to win back long
Talor Gooch of LIV Golf gets a special invitation to the PGA Championship
VOX POPULI: Professionalism will be the key to successful ride
South China Sea news: Chinese media slams Australian warship at centre of sonar incident
China news: President Xi Jinping reveals vision to change world
Top clubs urge Brazil's soccer federation to suspend league matches because of flooding
Watercare signals possible 25% increase in water rates
Kyren Wilson wins world snooker championship for the first time after beating Jak Jones 18
2023 In Pictures: A year of post