Israeli tanks enter Rafah as forces capture Gazan side of border crossing

By Desmond Nleya, Daily Times Reporter

• Israeli tanks enter Rafah, last Hamas stronghold in Gaza
• Hamas accepts Egypt and Qatar brokered deal, Israel says it falls short
• Qatar’s delegation to resume ‘indirect negotiations’ between Israel and Hamas

The Israeli military on Tuesday said it seized control of the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing as the Jewish state commenced its planned military offensive in the southern city hours after Hamas accepted an agreement brokered by Egypt and Qatar for a ceasefire aimed at ending the seven-month war.

On Tuesday morning, the Israel Defense Forces announced that it was “conducting targeted strikes against Hamas terror targets in eastern Rafah”.