Rafiah

Swords of Iron:

IDF eliminates logistics chief of Hamas' Rafah Brigade

IDF operational activities continue in the areas of eastern Rafah, Jabalya, and central Gaza

Watch:

IDF deepens military control of Jabalya

IDF deepens military control of Jabalya, destroy long-range rocket launchers in Rafah.

Austin speaks to Gallant:

'Civilians must be protected before Rafah operation'

US continues to voice concerns over Israel’s operation against Hamas terrorist battalions in the Gazan city of Rafah.

Netanyahu:

'Rafah battle critical, will decide many things in the campaign'

PM conducts aerial tour over Gaza, tells soldiers they are 'the generation of victory.'

Defense Min. on the Gaza border:

Additional forces will join the operation in Rafah

'A number of tunnels in the area have already been destroyed – Hamas’ faucets are being shut,' Defense Min. Yoav Gallant says during visit to Rafah.

Israeli delegation meets with Egyptian officials in Cairo

The meetings discussed several issues, including IDF operations in Rafah, and closing the Gazan side of the Rafah Crossing, which led to an Egyptian decision to stop transferring aid to Gaza as long as the crossing is closed.

Secretary of State Blinken:

'We do not and will not support Israeli reoccupation of Gaza'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel must work to find an alternative for Hamas since 'it cannot – and says it does not want responsibility for Gaza.'

Netanyahu:

'Rafah operation will last weeks, not months or years'

PM says in interview with CNBC that despite disagreement with US government on Rafah operation, Israel has no choice but to proceed with the operation.

ICJ to discuss South Africa's request for measures against Israel

South Africa last week submitted an urgent request to the ICJ, asking it to impose additional provisional measures against Israel over its actions in Rafah.

Watch:

Terrorists operate next to UN vehicles in UNRWA Rafah compound

During IDF operational activity in eastern Rafah on Saturday, terrorists were identified in UNRWA’s central logistics compound alongside UN vehicles.

Qatar: Significant differences between Israel and Hamas

Israel has not been clear about how to end the war, causing negotiations to freeze, Qatari Pres. Al Thani claims.

Footage from the fighting:

Battles in Rafah, fighting expands in Jabalya

IDF continues operations in Gaza, troops expand activity in the area of Jabalya.

Will Rafah operation harm ties with Egypt? Reports are conflicted

Egyptian source claims 'no plans to suspend ties' with Israel, as other reports say Cairo is weighing recalling ambassador from Tel Aviv.

US national security adviser:

'We don't view killings of Gazans by Israel as genocide'

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan to reporters: We still believe it would be a mistake to launch a major military operation into the heart of Rafah.

IDF investigating

UN worker shot dead in Rafah

Deputy UN Spokesman confirms a staff member from the UN Department of Safety and Security was killed near the European Hospital in Rafah.

Deputy Secretary of State:

'We don't believe Israel's strategy will lead to total victory'

Deputy US Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says the US is “struggling over what the theory of victory is” in Gaza.

Biden Admin. denies withholding Hamas leaders' locations

National Security Council official says US is assisting Israel in targeting Hamas leaders and 'not holding anything back' following reports administration is using the intelligence as leverage against Rafah oepration.

5 soldiers, Defense Ministry employee seriously wounded in Gaza

2 soldiers seriously wounded in mortar barrage in Rafah Crossing area, 3 Defense Ministry employees wounded in Gaza, 1 seriously.

Blinken to Gallant:

'US opposes major military ground operation in Rafah'

Secretary of State speaks with Defense Minister, underscores "urgent need to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza".

In phone conversation:

Sullivan, Israeli counterpart discuss alternatives to Rafah

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks with Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi, expresses condolences on behalf of President Biden and the American people on Israel’s Memorial Day.

Blinken:

'Hamas will remain no matter what Israel does in Rafah'

US Secretary of State reiterates administration's opposition to Israel's crushing of the last 4 Hamas battalions in Rafah, demands plan for 'day after.'

Over 150 targets struck

IDF soldiers operate in Jabaliya, Zeitoun and Rafah

DF troops began an operation overnight based on intelligence information regarding attempts by Hamas to reassemble its terrorist infrastructure and operatives in Jabaliya.

UK's Cameron:

'Stopping weapons shipments to Israel would strengthen Hamas'

The UK Foreign Secretary says his government has not seen a plan to evacuate Rafah and therefore does not support a major offensive. However, they oppose a ban on arms sales to Israel.

IDF Spokesman:

'Our war is against Hamas, not against the people of Gaza'

IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari issues English statement on operation in Rafah: Our operations against Hamas in Rafah remain limited in scope and have avoided densely populated areas.

Live updates:

UAVs from Lebanon explode in northern Israel

IDF says targeted strikes begin as War Cabinet unanimously votes to proceed with Rafah operation, Arabic sources say infantry, tanks crossed border.

Is the US withholding information from Israel?

US offering Israel intelligence in exchange for end to Rafah operation, report says.

In Rafah and in Zeitoun:

IDF operations in Gaza continue

IDF troops located weaponry inside a clinic in Zeitoun; continue to operate in specific areas of eastern Rafah.

In Rafah:

IDF destroys launch posts used to fire toward Be'er Sheva

IDF locates and destroys two launch posts in the Rafah area, from which rockets were fired towards Be’er Sheva.

White House:

'We're watching operation in Rafah with great concern'

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby says the US wants the Rafah crossing reopened immediately.

Over Rafah operation:

South Africa asks ICJ to take additional measures against Israel

South Africa submits urgent request to International Court of Justice, says previous measures are not fully addressing the changed circumstances.

Cabinet approves:

Israel to expand Rafah operation

A new report claims that the Cabinet has approved additional IDF operations in Rafah, without violating the boundaries set by the Biden administration.

Watch:

Nahal soldiers operate in Zeitoun, Givati in eastern Rafah

As part of the operation, the soldiers carried out a targeted raid on a school where weapons, AK-47s, and ammunition were located inside the classrooms.

Fierce battles

IDF takes control of Rafah's main road

Israeli tanks took control of the main road separating the eastern and western halves of Rafah.

Bennett responds to Biden:

'If Hamas given immunity, all jihadists will use human shields'

Former PM Naftali Bennett responds on CNN to President Biden's threat to halt weapons shipments over Rafah op. 'Profound mistake. Is Israel using bombs to target civilians, absolutely not.'

Rafah:

Terror cells eliminated in close-quarters combat

IDF soldiers face Hamas terrorists in battle at Rafah crossing as IAF strikes rocket and mortar launching sites in Rafah.

Ambassador Herzog:

'US sends the wrong message to Hamas and our enemies'

Israel’s Ambassador to the US responds to US decision to withhold some weapons from Israel: It is unacceptable that it went public while we were still discussing Rafah operation.

Netanyahu:

'We will do what we have to do to protect our country'

Speaking to Dr. Phil, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he hopes he and Biden can overcome their disagreements, "but we will do what we have to do to protect our country".

The Egyptian connection to Biden's threat

Egyptian source claims that the aggressive US position against Israel in the context of Rafah is partly related to Cairo's protest on the issue.

US State Department:

'An operation in Rafah would weaken Israel's stance in the world'

State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller explained Biden's threats to stop arms shipments: 'There are certain types of military assistance that we will not make available to Israel for use in Rafah.'

IDF Spokesman:

'IDF has everything it needs for Rafah mission'

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari downplays significance of US President Biden's threat to withhold weapons shipments to Israel over Rafah operation.

Biden under fire over decision to pause weapons to Israel

US Pres. Joe Biden faces criticism from within the Democratic party, leading Republicans, following his promise that if Israel expands its Rafah operations, the US will halt weapons shipments.

Israeli source:

Rafah will be conquered - even without US assistance

Senior Israeli source warns Hezbollah, Iran, benefit from US Pres. Biden's decision not to provide Israel with weapons, stresses: 'Biden has made a grave mistake - both ethically and politically.'

Finance Min. Smotrich:

We must eliminate Hamas - and this involves conquering Rafah

'We must maintain our unity at all costs. That is the only way that we will be able to effectively defeat our enemies and withstand the international pressure to end the war and suffer defeat.' Op-ed.

State Department:

'We have very serious concerns about a Rafah operation'

State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller tells reporters the administration continues to have concerns about a potential Israeli operation in Rafah.

Biden in message to Israel:

'I will stop sending bombs over major invasion of Rafah'

US President says he will halt shipments of American weapons to Israel if Netanyahu orders a major invasion of Rafah: Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs.

IDF soldier wounded by rocket fire in southern Israel

Following the sirens that sounded earlier in the day in the area of Shlomit, eight launches were identified crossing from the area of Rafah into the area of Kerem Shalom.

US warns Israel:

Do not expand military operations in Rafah

Israel made clear to the Americans that preventing the delivery of precise munitions can harm the military effort, strengthen Hamas, and therefore may threaten a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release.

30 terrorists eliminated

Watch: The moment the IDF entered Rafah

During the operation, the soldiers eliminated about 30 terrorists and destroyed large amounts of terrorist infrastructure in the region.

Brother of fallen soldier: We haven't entered Rafah

'Prime Minister, Defense Minister, claiming IDF entered Rafah to stave off criticism ahead of Remembrance Day and Independence Day,' brother of fallen IDF soldier Hadar Goldin says.

IDF spokesman:

We won't mislead the public: There'll be terror even after Rafah

Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesman, stresses: 'Gaza is one of the most difficult battlefields in the world,' acknowledges that 'even after Rafah, there will be terror.'

IDF dismantling terror infrastructure in Rafah

IDF conducting precise counterterrorism operation in specific areas of eastern Rafah; eliminating terrorists and locating underground shafts and infrastructure.

MK Tally Gotliv fell for fake news

‘Chief of Staff dismissed a soldier who knocked over a sign in Gaza’: MK Gotliv relied on fake news and explained: ‘The fact that I was not surprised by this is very sad.’

US official confirms:

US paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week

Senior US administration official says the decision was made over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on Rafah.

Egypt:

'Occupation of Rafah crossing will not harm peace agreement'

An Egyptian official said that Egypt does not believe that the existing circumstances would harm the peace agreement with Israel and, in particular, the security appendices of the agreement.

Gallant:

'Op. will continue until Hamas destroyed or hostages returned'

Defense Minister visits artillery battery providing support to soldiers in Rafah, says Hamas 'responds only to force.'

Netanyahu:

'Hamas proposal is very far from Israel's vital demands'

PM addresses IDF's actions in Rafah over the last day, says it will crush the last of Hamas's military and political power in Gaza and eliminate the terrorist organization's threat.

UN Secretary-General demands Israel end Rafah operation

Antonio Guterres says he is 'disturbed' by Israeli operation to end the Hamas threat, calls for ceasefire that would leave Hamas in power.

Watch:

IDF airstrikes in Rafah

IDF operates in Rafah, the final Hamas stronghold in Gaza.

Watch: IDF forces enter Rafah

IDF publishes footage of forces entering, taking control of Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

Watch: Armored vehicle and Israeli flags at the Rafah Crossing

Armored IDF vehicle seen at Gaza's Rafah Crossing following military operation, IDF flags waved near border.