Cairo Talks Set To Resume As IDF Siezes Palestine Side Of Rafah Crossing

Indirect ceasefire negotations between Israel and Hamas are set to resume today following the Netanyahu gov'ts rejection of the Egyptian and Qatari-brokered deal that had the backing of Hamas on 6 May. The Israeli gov't claimed that the deal on the table was 'far from' its 'obligatory demands'. Instead, the IDF has seized control of the Palestinian side of the border crossing with Egypt in Rafah, halting the supply of humanitarian aid through the crossing.

• US President Joe Biden spoketo PM Benjamin Netanyahu for around 30 mins on 6 May, with the US president seeking to push for Israel to accept a ceasefire deal and, as has been the case consistently, warn against a full military operation in Rafah without a plan to avoid mass civilian casualties.
• The seizure of the Rafah crossing does not appear to be being followed by a full ground assault on Rafah, and that part of the IDF's plan may be some way off yet. Foreign Minister Israel Katz posted on X claims that "The entry of the IDF into Rafah promotes the two main goals of the war: the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas. The work of persuasion on the political front is becoming more difficult - but I will do everything to meet the task and allow our heroic soldiers to complete the work.”
• Despite the negative sentiment, the fact that both Israel and Hamas have agreed to send negotiating teams to talks in Cairo taking place later today can be viewed a something of a positive in terms of moving towards an eventual ceasefire deal.