Israel conducts 'targeted strikes' in Gaza as ceasefire deal remains uncertain

TheIsraeli army carried out"targeted strikes" against Hamas militants in eastern Rafah after appealing to civilians to evacuate. Thousands of people moved to what Israel termed as the "humanitarian area"to the north of Rafah.

Amid reports of strikes in eastern Rafah, multiple explosions were also reportedly heard insouthernRafah. The Palestinian Civil Defence, in a statement, claimed that several Palestinians were killed in the airstrikesand many others were injured.

“Civil defence teams have managed to pull outa number ofmartyrs and transport several injured individuals from under the rubble of several homes which were bombed by Israeli warplanes tonight in various places in the Rafah governorate in southern Gaza Strip,” read the Palestinian Civil Defence's statement.

The Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported that eight Palestinians were killed in two attacks on Rafah.

Also Read:Israel cautions after Hamas says it accepts ceasefire proposal of Egypt and Qatar

The strikes took place after Hamas expressed agreement to the terms of a ceasefire deal which was brokered by Qatar and Egypt.

Ceasefire negotiations to resumeafter Israel rejects proposal

However, the terms of the deal were rejected by Israel which claimed that it was "far from meeting" its "core demands".

Israel is sending its delegation for indirect talks in Cairo to secure an "acceptable" agreement.

Meanwhile, theQatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that indirect ceasefire negotiations will continue between Israel and Hamas on Tuesday (May 7).

The ministry's spokesperson, Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, in a statement,said that the continued negotiations come after Hamas' response about a possible proposal, which "can be described as positive."

Al-Ansari further expressed Qatar's "hope that the talks will culminate in reaching an agreement for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of prisoners anddetainees and the sustainable flow of humanitarian aid into all areas of the Strip."

Meanwhile, protesters took to the streets of Tel Avivand demanded a ceasefire agreement. A group - which was representing families of Israeli hostages - in a message to government negotiators, demanded: “Donot return without a signed deal”.

Watch:Israel-Hamas War: Biden restates 'clear position' on Rafah to Netanyahu

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said that thetalks between Israel and Hamas had reached a "critical" stage: "I don't know that it gets any more sensitive than right now," he added.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saidthat aground invasion of Rafah would be "intolerable". "A ground invasion in Rafah would be intolerable because of its devastating humanitarian consequences and because of its destabilising impact in the region," said the UN chief.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)