Two dead, many wounded in Israeli bombing south of Rafah

Two Palestinians were killed and others were injured early on Wednesday, as a result of Israeli bombing south of the city of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian News and Information Agency (Wafa) quoted local sources as saying, “The occupation forces targeted a motorcycle near the Salah al-Din Gate, south of Rafah, which led to the death of two citizens and the injury of others.”

The Israeli army has continued its attack on the Gaza Strip since October 7, killing 34,789 Palestinians, the majority of whom were children and women, and wounding 78,204 others.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant had announced that the Israeli army would be ready to reach settlements if an agreement was reached, regarding the release of hostages during the attack on Rafah.

He stressed that the operation will continue until the elimination of Hamas in the Rafah area and throughout the Gaza Strip, or until the return of the first hostage, adding: “We are ready to reach a settlement to recover the hostages.”

Yesterday, the Israeli Defense Minister ordered the army to advance to Rafah and control the border crossing as Israel seized checkpoints on the border crossing from the Palestinian side.

Israel and Hamas are currently engaged in indirect negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Hamas was trying to thwart the Israeli attack on Rafah by agreeing to a new proposal in the ceasefire negotiations.

Netanyahu said, in a video message on the “X” platform, this evening: “That did not happen.”

He pointed out that military pressure on Hamas was indeed a precondition for the return of the Israeli hostages during the recent agreement concluded last November.

He stated that the offer recently presented by “Hamas” is far from “Israel’s necessary requirements,” noting that they include ensuring the security of his country, adding that he directed the Israeli negotiating team in Cairo to adhere to Israel’s conditions.

He pointed out that the Rafah operation aims to liberate the hostages and destroy Hamas, describing the seizure of the border crossing as a “very important step” on the road.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States are playing the role of mediator, and yesterday evening, Hamas agreed to a ceasefire proposal, but Israeli forces advanced on parts of Rafah and took control of the border crossing from the Palestinian side.