Gaza City – Both Israel and Hamas have unequivocally denied reports of a ceasefire that would permit the safe exit of foreigners from South Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid. The situation remains highly volatile, with thousands of people gathering at the closed Rafah border crossing in the hope of leaving Gaza in anticipation of a potential Israeli ground offensive.
Earlier reports in US media suggested that Egypt would briefly reopen the Rafah border crossing, but as of now, it remains closed, leaving the fate of those waiting uncertain.
The conflict’s toll continues to mount, with Israeli airstrikes claiming the lives of more than 2,750 Palestinians since last Saturday. In response, Hamas’s assault has resulted in the deaths of 1,400 Israelis.
The Israeli army has indicated that 199 captives are currently held by Hamas in Gaza, adding to the complexity of the situation. This protracted conflict has displaced over one million Palestinians from their homes within a span of just nine days, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Doctors in Gaza are sounding the alarm, warning that hospitals will deplete their last reserves of fuel within the next 24 hours, further straining the region’s already overwhelmed healthcare system.
Arise News Chief Correspondent John Cookson is on the ground, reporting from the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, where tensions are running high amid the ongoing conflict.