WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden again urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as Israel on Monday appeared to be moving closer to a major military operation to root out Hamas militants.
But soon after Israel announced that it was ordering about 100,000 Palestinians to begin evacuating from Rafah, Hamas said in a statement it has accepted an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a cease-fire to halt the seven-month-long war with Israel in Gaza.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israel will continue its operations in Gaza as officials deliberate the cease-fire proposal approved by Hamas. And the Israeli War Cabinet voted unanimously to approve a Rafah military operation but will continue cease-fire efforts.
The Israeli military also said it was conducting “targeted strikes” against Hamas in eastern Rafah. The nature of the strikes was not immediately known, but the move appeared aimed at keeping the pressure on as talks continue.
Biden speaks with Netanyahu as Israelis appear closer to major Rafah offensive
Giant panda Fu Bao transported to base in Wolong National Nature Reserve for quarantine
Highlights of Chinese government work report
Singapore PM Lee to step down on May 15 and hand power to his deputy
Sports betting roundup: Betting the under works in hockey Game 7s while basketball goes over
Lang Lang becomes 1st Chinese musician to receive Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Improved ecological environment attracts common cranes to Karamay, NW China's Xinjiang
Illegal maritime artifacts seized in Beijing
China extends more inclusive loans to small businesses
S. Korea's opposition party leads parliamentary elections with 62.5% votes counted
Nutrition experts add traffic light health labels to famous food paintings
Supreme Court rejects appeal from Black Lives Matter activist over Louisiana protest lawsuit