Israel launched airstrikes on targets in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday following the seizure of the primary border crossing with Egypt, where negotiators were striving to capitalize on their “last chance” to solidify a ceasefire agreement.
After weeks of pledging to initiate a ground incursion into the border city of Rafah despite international objections, Israeli tanks entered on Tuesday, capturing the crossing that has functioned as the principal channel for aid into the blockaded Palestinian territory.
The interruption to humanitarian deliveries drew condemnation from the White House, with a senior US official later disclosing that Washington had halted a shipment of bombs last week after Israel failed to address US concerns regarding its plans for Rafah.
The advance into the southern city, densely populated with displaced civilians, coincided with negotiators and mediators convening in Cairo to endeavor to negotiate a hostage release agreement and a truce in the seven-month conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas.
A senior Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, cautioned that this would be Israel’s “last chance” to release the numerous hostages still held by militants.
Egypt’s state-linked Al-Qahera News reported on Tuesday that mediators from Qatar, the United States, and Egypt were in discussions with a Hamas delegation.
It subsequently reported that “all parties,” including Israel, had consented to resume talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier stated that his country’s delegation was already in Cairo.
The United States, a staunch ally and primary military supporter of Israel, expressed optimism that the two sides could “close the remaining gaps.”
“Everybody’s coming to the table,” remarked US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby to reporters. “That’s not insignificant.”
