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.
Robinhood Markets receives SEC notice for alleged securities violations at crypto unit
Israel says building of Gaza aid pier begins
Chinese women's hockey team eye Paris 2024 medal
China's property sector advances on new fronts
Former Alabama star player, athletic director Hootie Ingram dies at age 90
Experts reveal why 15 percent of people don't lose weight on Ozempic
367 new projects inked in east China city
Peru's foreign minister to visit China
Palace rout demoralized Man United 4
Urban festival brings Olympic athletes closer to audience
Woman reveals horror of being sexually abused by her cousin's fiancé, 26, when she was 12 years old
Chinese premier says China's market is always open to foreign businesses