Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected Hamas' latest offer for a ceasefire and return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, but US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was still room for negotiation toward an agreement.
Israeli airstrikes killed over a dozen people overnight and into Thursday in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas' cease-fire terms and vowed to expand the offensive into the southern Gaza town. More than half of strip's population has fled to Rafah, on the mostly sealed border with Egypt, which is also the main entry point for humanitarian aid. Egypt has warned that any ground operation there or mass displacement across the border would undermine its four-decade-old peace treaty with Israel.
Israeli airstrikes intensified in Rafah, Gaza, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s rejection of Hamas cease-fire terms. Over a dozen were killed, including civilians, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Netanyahu vows to expand the offensive despite international alarm. Negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release face hurdles as Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal. Pressure mounts on Netanyahu to secure hostages release, but challenges persist in dealing with Hamas.