Negotiators from Israel and Hamas are meeting in Cairo to discuss a ceasefire agreement as another day of conflict continues in the Middle East. Israeli tanks and troops seized the border crossing with Egypt, blocking the flow of aid into Gaza. The United Nations has warned that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will worsen as a result of these actions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent negotiators to the talks while continuing military operations against Hamas. The move does not represent a full ground invasion that Israel had previously threatened, but it could increase pressure on Palestinian militants. The results remain uncertain.

The director of a hospital in Rafah reported 27 dead and 150 wounded since the incursion began, with Tel Aviv troops claiming they killed around 20 Hamas militants. International condemnation has followed the seizure of the Rafah crossing, with many officials and observers expressing concern over the escalation of violence.

President Biden has suspended an arms shipment to Israel to prevent US-made weapons from being used in the assault on Rafah. Activists and family members of hostages have blocked a highway to Tel Aviv, demanding an agreement with Hamas for the release of captives. CIA head William Burns is set to visit Israel for talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

An IDF spokesperson stated that the conflict in Gaza may last up to a year due to the difficulty of the situation and ongoing threats posed by Hamas. Despite this, Israel remains committed to responding to terrorism wherever it may arise, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring security for its citizens.