The Israeli military confirmed that it has gained “operational control” over the Gaza section of the Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip during Monday night into Tuesday morning.
Israeli media aired footage showing an Israeli flag raised on the Gaza side of the crossing, although the Israeli army declined to provide any commentary on the flag.
Late on Monday night, the Israeli military announced that it was conducting “targeted strikes” in eastern Rafah. The military reported that 20 Hamas militants were eliminated in the operation, with the discovery of three tunnel shafts. An official from the Israeli army stated that the majority of individuals residing in the evacuation zone had vacated the area.
Both the Israeli Defense Forces and Palestinian officials confirmed that Israeli tanks from an armored brigade took control of the crossing, situated just south of Gaza City.
Wael Abu Omar, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, revealed that the crossing, a principal point for humanitarian aid entry into the conflict-ridden region, was not operational.
Abu Omar remarked, “The entire western region (of Rafah) has transformed into a theater of operations since yesterday. The shelling has persisted without cease,” describing how personnel fled the premises due to the ongoing bombings.
