Israeli tanks seized the Rafah border crossing after advancing through the night while their warplanes bombed residential homes, killing at least 12 people.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the movement had accepted the ceasefire proposal in Gaza, which was raised, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that the proposal did not live up to Israel's demands, but that it would send a delegation to Cairo for talks. The Israeli War Cabinet also decided that its army would continue its operations against Rafah, and the army announced attack targets in the east of the city.

United Nations agencies and relief organizations warn of the devastating consequences of any Israeli military attack on Rafah. Rafah. After tens of thousands of Palestinians were ordered to evacuate before the attacks.

At least 34,735 people have been killed and 78,108 others injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October. The death toll in Israel from the October 7 Hamas attacks has risen to 1,139, and dozens of people remain detained. The Israeli army said that it imposed operational control on the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip overnight from Monday to Tuesday.

Photos broadcast by Israeli media showed an Israeli flag flying on the Gaza side of the crossing, despite The Israeli military declined to comment on the flag.

On Monday night, the flag was raised and the Israeli military said it had carried out targeted strikes east of Rafah. It said that 20 Hamas activists were killed in the operation and three tunnel openings were discovered. An Israeli army official said that the vast majority of people in the evacuation zone had left.

Israeli tanks, part of an Israeli army armored brigade, took over the crossing south of Gaza City. The army and Palestinian officials said.

Wael Abu Omar, spokesman for the Palestinian Authority crossings, said that the crossing, the main entrance for humanitarian aid into the war-ravaged Strip, was out of service.

p>< p>The entire western region (Rafah) has turned into a theater of operations since yesterday. Abu Omar said that the bombing did not stop, adding that the crews fled the facilities because of the bombing.

All night Monday through Tuesday.

Photos broadcast by the Israeli media showed an Israeli flag flying on the Gaza side of the crossing, although the Israeli army refused to comment on the flag.

On Monday evening, the Israeli army said that it had implemented “Targeted strikes” east of Rafah. It said that 20 Hamas activists were killed in the operation and three tunnel openings were discovered. An Israeli army official said that the vast majority of people in the evacuation zone had left.

Israeli tanks, part of an Israeli army armored brigade, took over the crossing south of Gaza City. The Israeli military and Palestinian officials said.

Wael Abu Omar, spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, said that the crossing, which is the main entrance for humanitarian aid into the war-ravaged Strip, was out of service.

“The entire western region (Rafah) has become a theater of operations since yesterday. Abu Omar said: “The bombing did not stop,” adding that the crews fled the facilities because of the bombing.