Israeli Soldiers Killed in Hamas Rocket Attack Near Gaza Aid Crossing
JERUSALEM — In a tragic turn of events, three Israeli soldiers have lost their lives in a Hamas rocket attack near the Kerem Shalom crossing, a vital point for aid delivery into Gaza, as confirmed by Israel.
The closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing was immediate following the strike, with subsequent Israeli strikes in the southern Gazan city of Rafah resulting in the reported deaths of at least 12 individuals.
As tensions escalate, Israel’s military issued an urgent call on Monday for Gazans residing in parts of Rafah to evacuate, signaling a dire situation.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that 10 projectiles were launched from an area near the Rafah crossing, merely 3.6km (2.2 miles) from Kerem Shalom, with Hamas’s armed wing claiming responsibility and targeting an Israeli army base.
Despite the IDF’s allegations of Hamas using civilians as human shields, the group denies such claims, setting the stage for a contentious back-and-forth amidst escalating violence.
Following the rocket attack, Israel retaliated with strikes in Rafah, targeting the launcher site and a nearby military structure, resulting in further casualties.
These developments come amidst stalled ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, with talks focusing on securing the release of hostages reaching a standstill.
Efforts to broker a truce have been marred by conflicting demands from both Israel and Hamas, with little progress made during recent discussions in Cairo, Egypt.
While a temporary ceasefire proposal involving a 40-day pause in hostilities has been tabled, key sticking points remain unresolved, particularly regarding the permanence of the agreement.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the region remains on edge, with the prospect of a lasting peace seeming increasingly elusive.
