The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and Hamas today denied reports of a temporary ceasefire in Gaza to enable humanitarian aid to come in and foreigners to leave at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
Hamas official, Izzat El Reshiq also stated that there was no truth to reports about the opening of the Rafah border crossing or temporary ceasefire.
Thousands of people are gathering in the hope of leaving Gaza ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive.
US nationals in Gaza had previously been told to move closer to the crossing, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it “will be open” for aid without giving timings
Meanwhile, the Israeli military says it is evacuating 28 communities within 2km of the Lebanese border.