Hamas is Reviewing an Israeli Proposal for a Cease-fire in Gaza, as a Planned Rafah Offensive Looms

(Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/picture alliance via Getty Images)

CAIRO (AP) — Hamas says it is reviewing a new Israeli proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza. And Egypt is intensifying efforts to broker a deal to end the war and stave off a planned Israeli ground offensive into the southern city of Rafah. The Israeli military has massed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles in southern Israel close to Rafah and hit locations in the city in near-daily airstrikes. Rafah is on the border with Egypt. Egypt has cautioned that an offensive into Rafah could have “catastrophic consequences” on the humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as on regional peace and security. Hamas’ statement on Saturday came hours after a high-level Egyptian delegation wrapped up a visit to Israel.

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