Even before such an operation, Israel pounded Rafah with strikes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to set its sights on the southern city. Vowing to eliminate Hamas, Israel launched a massive military offensive in Gaza that the territory's health ministry says has killed at least 27,947 people, mostly women and children. Militants seized 250 hostages, 132 of whom are still in Gaza although 29 are presumed dead, Israel has said. The health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said Israeli bombardment killed at least 110 people overnight, including 25 in Rafah. Hamas negotiators departed Cairo on Friday after what a Hamas source described as "positive and good discussions" with Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Source: The Hindu February 11, 2024 09:37 UTC