‘I love Gaza’ sign crushed under treads of tank as Israeli takes control of Rafah crossing
An Israeli tank brigade has crushed an “I love Gaza” sign as troops took control of the Rafah crossing.
Footage showed a tank trundling towards the sign before reducing it to rubble.
Other clips showed tanks arriving at the Rafah crossing with Egypt flying Israeli flags.
The 401st Brigade entered the Rafah crossing this morning as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied leaders from across the West to push ahead with his pledge to crush Hamas.
The location has been seen as crucial for both aid going into Gaza and refugees fleeing into Egypt.
However, the operation reportedly resulted in the elimination of around 20 terrorists.
The development came just hours after Israel rejected a new ceasefire deal.
Hamas prematurely announced the deal, which was brokered by Egypt and Qatar, as Palestinians took to the streets to celebrate.
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תיעוד: הטנקים של חטיבה 401 השתלטו על מעבר רפיח pic.twitter.com/j5KoycXHq9
— איתי בלומנטל 🇮🇱 Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) May 7, 2024
Israel later dismissed the ceasefire, labelling it a “softened” version of a proposal pushed by Cairo.
Netanyahu’s decision to send troops to Rafah was described as “devastating” for Palestinians.
Sam Rose, director of planning at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said: “(The crossing) has been the lifeblood for the small amounts of goods that have been coming into Gaza since October.”
He added: “There’s no ability for desalination plants to operate and provide safe water. There’s no electricity – it cuts off everything.”
The Israeli military justified its onslaught in Rafah after Hamas killed four soldiers near the Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday.
“The IDF is currently conducting targeted strikes against Hamas terror targets in eastern Rafah in southern Gaza,” the Israeli military said on social media.
Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, today acknowledged Israeli forces had seized the Rafah crossing.
Egypt previously warned any seizure of Rafah could see Palestinians fleeing over the border.
Such a scenario could threaten a 1979 peace deal with Israel that has been a linchpin for regional security.