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Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel orders evacuations in Rafah as it prepares to expand its offensive
The UN has warned for weeks that an Israeli assault on Rafah would cripple humanitarian operations and cause a disastrous surge in civilian casualties.
- by Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Mednick and Samy Magdy
Latest
US says Israel’s use of weapons may have violated international law
The findings risk further souring ties with Israel at a time when the allies are increasingly at odds over Israel’s plans to strike Rafah.
- by Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
‘We will fight with our fingernails’: Netanyahu says US threat won’t prevent Gaza offensive
The Israeli PM’s comments indicate he might proceed with an invasion of the packed city of Rafah against the wishes of closest ally US to “achieve victory”.
- by Joseph Krauss and Josef Federman
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Biden had hoped to send a quiet message, then Israel leaked it
The US decision to pause the delivery of bombs represents a significant turning point in its relationship with Israel. But it may not necessarily be a breaking point.
- by Peter Baker
‘Like a ghost town now’: Palestinians flee for safety amid Israel’s threat of Rafah invasion
Residents said tanks, which had moved in to take control of the crossing, had not entered built-up areas of the city and gun battles were still outside the city limits.
- by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Hatem Khaled
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The world’s turned a blind eye, but I’ve seen Gaza’s horrors
More than half a million children are sheltering in Rafah. Families I spoke to there as an Australian aid worker told me they were terrified, wondering how they will protect their kids.
- by Sacha Myers
US delayed arm shipments to Israel to send message against Rafah assault
Joe Biden has been trying to head off a full-scale assault by the Israelis against Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge from combat elsewhere in Gaza.
- by Mike Stone, Steve Holland and Phil Stewart
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israeli tanks take control of Gaza side of Rafah crossing
The Gaza Crossings Authority said in a statement that Israel’s takeover was a “death sentence” against Gazans, particularly the ill and injured.
- by Sam Mednick, Josef Federman and Bassem Mroue
Inside the White House scramble to broker a deal in Gaza
Over the course of a few hours, the news from the Middle East came into the White House Situation Room fast and furious. Officials rushed to work out the truth.
- by Peter Baker
Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal: what we know so far
Hamas said on Monday it had agreed to a three-phased deal for a ceasefire, although an Israeli official said the deal was not acceptable.
- by Andrew Mills
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel begins evacuation of Rafah, warns ‘powerful’ operation near
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant claimed Hamas wasn’t serious about a deal and warned of “a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah”.
- by Sam Mednick and Josef Federman