Israel criticizes Gaza and Hamas ceasefire terms but talks continue

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the new proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza is “far from Israel’s basic needs” but talks will continue.

His comments came after Hamas said it had accepted the terms of the deal offered by Qatari and Egyptian negotiators.

“The ball is now in Israel’s court,” an official in the Palestinian group said.

Overnight, Israeli forces and tanks were seen near the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza, reports in Israeli media said.

Earlier, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes in the city of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, after warning the Palestinians to evacuate the areas east of the city.

Tens of thousands of residents are believed to have been affected by the operation and many were seen hanging from cars or donkey carts on Monday.

Israel has long threatened attacks against Hamas in the city of 1.4 million people, many of whom have sought refuge there from Israeli attacks elsewhere in Gaza.