RAFAH, June 1, 2024 — Israeli forces escalated their offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza, deploying tanks and artillery early Saturday, hours after US President Joe Biden announced Israel’s proposal for a new ceasefire roadmap.
Local residents reported heavy tank fire in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in west Rafah, while witnesses in eastern and central Rafah described continuous and intense shelling. “From the early hours of the night until this morning, the aerial and artillery bombardment has not stopped for a single moment,” a resident from west Rafah told AFP on condition of anonymity. The resident also noted the presence of Israeli snipers in high-rise buildings overlooking Tal al-Sultan, further heightening the danger in the area.
Despite President Biden’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the war until Israel’s objectives are fully met. Speaking on Saturday, Netanyahu stated, “Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
Hamas, however, expressed cautious optimism regarding the Israeli plan outlined by President Biden. In his first major address suggesting an end to the nearly eight-month-long conflict, Biden detailed Israel’s three-stage offer, which begins with a six-week phase of Israeli forces withdrawing from populated areas of Gaza. Following this, Israel and the Palestinians would enter negotiations for a lasting ceasefire, with the truce holding as long as talks continue.
Netanyahu, however, contested Biden’s portrayal of the proposal, emphasizing on Friday that the transition between stages is “conditional” and structured to enable Israel to pursue its war objectives.
Amid these developments, a high-level meeting between US, Egyptian, and Israeli officials is set for Sunday in Cairo to discuss reopening Gaza’s Rafah crossing, a source told Egypt’s state-linked Al Qahera TV.
The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for potential diplomatic negotiations under the shadow of ongoing conflict.