Rafah is one of the largest cities in the Gaza Strip, located on its far southern end on the border with Egypt.
The city is the site of the Rafah border crossing, the only entry and exit point out of Gaza and into Egypt, compared to the other border crossings that go into Israel.
Rafah is partially divided, with part of the city being located on the Egyptian side of the border. A network of smuggling tunnels run beneath the city and crossing in an attempt to circumvent the blockade around Gaza.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken opposes IDF operation in Rafah, emphasizing a need for civilian protection. Efforts continue for a hostage deal amidst escalating tensions.
Cairo and Kuwait City meet to discuss humanitarian crisis in Gaza and necessity of ensuring peace in region.
Mosab Hassan Yousef insisted that Israel should not give in to global pressure, and the world has refused to acknowledge that a genocide was committed by Hamas on Oct. 7.
During a meeting with forums of families of hostages and fallen soldiers, who are affiliated with the right and support invading Rafah, Netanyahu pledged that Israel would invade the city.
Far-right ministers in Israel press Prime Minister Netanyahu for a Rafah invasion. Smotrich convenes Knesset meeting; Ben-Gvir meets Netanyahu amid hostage deal negotiations.
Willingness to support an Israeli operation in Rafah correlated with age, with older respondents viewing such an operation more favorably than younger respondents.
Israel weighs up a Rafah operation against a deal to secure the return of all hostages, must consider both strategic and moral implications. What will it choose?
Biden urged Sisi and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, whom he spoke to separately, to exert all efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Police also arrested five demonstrators, with one of them being a relative to a hostage still in Gaza, and one MK was allegedly assaulted by police at the protest.
Reports from Gaza state that 30 Palestinians were killed on Monday in IDF strikes on the city in midst of tensions regarding upcoming operation on the city.
JPOST Digital Library
