IDF begins isolating Rafah, orders 40,000 tents

The Israel Defence Forces has begun isolating Rafah in southern Gaza and has started taking steps to evacuate the city’s civilian population, Channel 12 reported on Wednesday. Read more

Blinken’s Rafah blunder

In a press conference on Thursday in Cairo, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated his opposition to an Israeli ground operation in Rafah, saying that such a move would be a “mistake.” Read more

PM says Israel will not keep civilians trapped in Rafah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will not leave civilians trapped in Rafah when its forces begin a long-expected assault on the southern Gaza city where more than a million Palestinians have taken shelter. Read more

Hamas presses on with Gaza truce talks without Israel

Hamas and Egyptian mediators are pressing on with talks in Cairo on securing a ceasefire in Gaza, despite Israel’s decision not to send a delegation, as Washington pressed again for a truce, the release of hostages and a plan to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe. Read more

Australia must back up warning to Israel ‘with action’

Australia had been told to back up its stern words against Israel with action after a federal minister used a major international platform to warn against a full-blown assault in southern Gaza.
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Palestinians pin hopes on Gaza truce before Rafah push

The top United States diplomat has met Saudi Arabia’s de-facto ruler in a visit that Palestinians hope will deliver a truce before a threatened Israeli assault on Rafah, the border city where about half of the population is sheltering. Read more

Israel to open Kerem Shalom to inspect aid trucks

Israel will open the Kerem Shalom Crossing to inspect humanitarian aid trucks soon. Read more