The fate of Rafah hung in the balance last night after Hamas said it had accepted a ceasefire-for-hostage deal but Israel responded sceptically and carried out night airstrikes on Gaza's southernmost city.
More than 1 million Palestinians who are taking refuge in Rafah were thrown into confusion by the day's events. Israel issued orders for the evacuation of part of the city earlier yesterday, triggering an exodus.
Hours later there were celebrations in the streets as Hamas announced it had accepted a ceasefire - but then disappointment and bewilderment when Israel gave a tepid response and began bombing.
The Israeli military said yesterday it was conducting targeted strikes against Hamas in Rafah.
Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the terms Hamas had agreed were far from meeting his government's demand but he said he would dispatch a delegation for further negotiations through Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
Some Israeli officials told reporters that Hamas had agreed to a "softened" version of a phased ceasefire plan Egypt had put on the table in recent days.
"This would appear to be a ruse intended to make Israel look like the side refusing a deal," one Israeli official told Reuters.
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