Israeli leaders have approved a military operation into the Gaza Strip city of Rafah

Sources: Israel moving to capture Palestinian side of Rafah crossing

Axios reports that Israeli forces are planning to capture the Palestinian Arab side of the Rafah crossing and monitor all aid entering Gaza.

Turkiye’s Erdogan welcomes Hamas accepting ceasefire, hopes Israel will do the same

ANKARA, May 7 — Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he welcomed the decision by militant group Hamas to accept a ceasefire in Gaza, which he said was made in line with Ankara’s suggestion, adding he hopes Israel would do the same. Turkiye has denounced Israel’s assault on Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire, halted all trade with Israel, and announced its decision to join South Africa’s application for Israel to be tried for geno…

Hamas accepts Gaza truce proposal, Israel urges Rafah evacuation

Rafah, Palestinian Territories — Hamas on Monday said it accepts a proposal for a truce in the seven-month-old war in Gaza, as Israel renewed an order for Palestinians in Rafah to evacuate ahead of a long-threatened invasion of the city. The Hamas announcement brought cheering crowds onto the street amid tears of happiness, chants of “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) and celebratory shooting in the air. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…

Live blog: Israeli tanks enter southern Gaza city of Rafah

Israel's war on Gaza, now in its 214th day, has killed at least 34,735 Palestinians — 70% of them babies, children and women — and wounded over 78,108 while some 10,000+ Palestinians are feared buried under debirs of bombed homes.

Qatar says Hamas response to truce proposal is positive

CAIRO (Reuters) – Hamas sent on Monday to mediators its response to a truce proposal which could be described as positive, a spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry said early on Tuesday. A Qatari delegation will head to Cairo on Tuesday to resume indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas through the mediators, Majed Al-Ansari added in a statement. Qatar, which alongside Egypt and the United States has played a mediation role in the t…