Israeli Forces Enter Rafah

Israeli troops stormed into Rafah overnight, video showing tanks crashing over a sign at the entrance of the city. Israel took over the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a key transit point for aid. It says, “Hamas used the area to launch a deadly attack on Israeli troops over the weekend.” Israel had warned civilians to leave the area in Rafah yesterday, but gave them little time to do it. Our crew filmed how the bombing started just hours after Israel’s evacuation notice. Palestinian medics say more than 20 people were killed in the overnight operation, including children.

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The bodies today handed over to their families. Hamas says, “It has agreed to a plan to end all of this and sent NBC news the full text of a four-page document, in which Hamas promises to release all the hostages it’s holding.” Israel believes there are, “132 in all,” to achieve a “Sustainable calm with Israel.” Hamas says, “The plan would be implemented in three phases, each forty-two days long.” In phase one, “Israel and Hamas would cease hostilities and Hamas would free 33 hostages, including all women, hostages over 50 and sick and wounded civilians.” In exchange, Israeli troops would withdraw from densely populated areas in Gaza, release Palestinian prisoners, allow more aid into Gaza and give Palestinians freedom of movement within the Gaza Strip.

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During the next two phases, “Hamas would release all remaining hostages.” “Israeli troops would leave Gaza completely and a three to five-year internationally supported program to rebuild Gaza would begin.” The document lists, Qatar, Egypt, the U.N and the United States as guarantors.

We’re currently reviewing that response.

The Israeli government responded saying, “Hamas’s terms do not meet its necessary requirements, but Israel is nonetheless sending a team of negotiators to Cairo to discuss it.”

A key sticking point is the future of Hamas in Gaza. The terms presented by Hamas strongly suggest that the group would remain in power, which is something the Israeli government has said, “It will never accept.” Hoda.

All right, Richard Engel For us there in Jerusalem. Richard, thank you.

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