Israel Defense Force says it now has “operational control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing.
The announcement follows what the IDF said were “targeted strikes” against Hamas in eastern Rafah on Monday
Talks are still expected to resume in Cairo after Hamas said it would accept a deal drawn up by Egyptian mediators.
The deal was however rejected by Israel which describes it as “far from meeting” its “core demands”
It is not clear exactly what Hamas has agreed to, but the proposal is thought to include the release of hostages and the return of displaced Palestinians within Gaza.
Israel’s war cabinet voted to continue operations but is sending a delegation to hold indirect talks in Cairo.
The Gaza war began when Hamas fighters stormed into southern Israel on the 7th of October, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 252 hostages
More than 34,700 people have since been killed in Gaza in retaliatory strikes launched by Israel