Residents of Rafah, Palestine, reported that Israeli forces bombarded the city on Thursday, despite U.S. President Joe Biden’s threat to withhold weapons from Israel if it invades the southern Gaza city.
A senior Israeli official disclosed on Thursday night that the latest round of indirect negotiations in Cairo had concluded, and that Israel would continue its planned operation in Rafah and other areas of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two Palestinian militant organizations, reported that their fighters in Gaza fired anti-tank rockets and mortars at Israeli tanks positioned along the city’s eastern outskirts.
Residents and medical professionals in Rafah, where Israeli ground forces have not yet taken control, reported that an Israeli attack near a mosque killed at least three people.
Hamas militants remain hidden in Rafah, according to Israel.
The White House reiterated its apprehension that Israel would not conduct a full operation in Rafah, stating that it did not believe such an action would help Israel achieve its objective of overcoming Hamas.
