Israel takes control of Gaza side of Rafah border crossing with Egypt

The Israeli military took control Tuesday of the Gaza Strip side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt – a sign Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is moving ahead with his plan to launch a full offensive on Rafah. 

Israel moving a tank brigade to the edge of the southern Gaza city came amid cease-fire negotiations with Hamas.

The Palestinian-backed militant group Hamas said Monday that it accepted an Egyptian-Qatari mediated cease-fire proposal. But Israel said it didn't meet its core demands and rejected it, according to CBS News. 

Israel now says it has taken "operational control" of the Rafah crossing, which is a primary route for aid entering the besieged enclave and the exit for those able to flee into Egypt, the news outlet also reports.