Israel Says No Truce in South Gaza As Thousands Wait At Border
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied reports of a ceasefire to allow “foreigners out” of south Gaza and “humanitarian aid in”
United States media had reported that Egypt could reopen the Rafah crossing for several hours from 6:00 (GMT) – but it is currently closed.
Thousands of people are gathering in the hope of leaving Gaza ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive.
US nationals in Gaza had previously been told to move closer to the crossing, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it “will be open” for aid without giving timings.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Military says it is evacuating 28 communities within two of the Lebanese border.
More than 1,400 people in Israel were killed in Hamas attacks just over a week ago; nearly 2,700 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory bombardment.
With food, fuel and water running short, hundreds of tons of aid from several countries have been held up in Egypt pending a deal for its safe delivery to Gaza and the evacuation of some foreign passport holders through the Rafah border crossing.
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Earlier on Monday, Egyptian security sources had told Reuters that an agreement had been reached to open the crossing to allow aid into the enclave.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement: “There is currently no truce and humanitarian aid in Gaza in exchange for getting foreigners out.”
Hamas official Izzat El Reshiq told Reuters there was “no truth” to the reports about the crossing opening or a temporary ceasefire.
Egypt has said the crossing was rendered inoperable due to Israeli bombardments on the Palestinian side. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Monday the Israeli government had yet to take a stance that allowed the crossing to open.
Reuters journalists said a small crowd of people had gathered at the crossing, the only one not controlled by Israel, waiting to enter Egypt.
The United States had told its citizens in Gaza to go to the crossing. The U.S. government estimates the number of dual-citizen Palestinian-Americans in Gaza at 500 to 600.
