Israel launches targeted attacks in Rafah while continuing hostage deal negotiations

Israel is pushing forward with a military operation in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip that is one of the final Hamas strongholds, while still sending a delegation to negotiate a hostage deal, officials said. 

The Israel Defense Forces said its troops are "attacking and operating against Hamas targets in a targeted manner in East Rafah," as of late Monday evening local time.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office said the war cabinet "unanimously decided that Israel is continuing with the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas in order to advance the release of our hostages and the other goals of the war" after Hamas said it accepted a ceasefire proposal brokered by Egypt and Qatar, according to The Times of Israel.

The prime minister's office also said Israel would send a delegation to continue hostage negotiations even though the "Hamas proposal is far from Israel's necessary requirements."

Furthermore, up to 100,000 Gazan civilians are still being urged to evacuate Rafah.

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on X or Instagram.