Israel bombards Rafah ahead of talks aimed at sealing truce deal

Israel launched attacks on the Gazan city of Rafah throughout the night in an effort to “press” Hamas ahead of Tuesday’s negotiations in Egypt to finalise a cease-fire deal that the militants had approved.
Following weeks of vows to advance into the southern border town, Israel demanded on Monday that Palestinians living in eastern Rafah evacuate to a “extended humanitarian area” in anticipation of an onslaught by land.

Five people have been killed and numerous more injured in Israeli strikes, according to the Kuwaiti hospital in the city, which was reported by an AFP correspondent there early on Tuesday. The bombing continued throughout the night.
Following the breakdown of negotiations earlier in the day, Hamas said on Monday night that it had given mediators its “approval of their proposal regarding a ceasefire.”