It’s become personal for both the Americans and Egyptians, which is why you have such pressure on both Israel and Hamas. Hamas has said it wants “a total end to the war”. Israel says “no way, we’re not done”.

For Benjamin Netanyahu, Rafah is crucial because he’s losing everything he has in terms of political survival – going in he can claim victory, whatever that may look like.

Not going into Rafah at all deprives him of that, which is why many people say he doesn’t actually want a ceasefire deal.

But there is such pressure from the Americans.

So we’re going to have to wait and see.

Very complicated negotiations, and not just about Gaza. We’re talking about regional geopolitical implications and future plans that are all linked now to what is happening in Cairo.

Source: Stefanie Dekker – Al Jazeera

1.5 million people ‘cannot simply vanish into thin air’: Germany

“A major offensive” in Rafah must not be launched, Germany says, after Israel sent tanks into the city in southern Gaza.

• “I warn against a major offensive on Rafah,” said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on X.

“A million people cannot simply vanish into thin air. They need protection. They need more humanitarian aid urgently… the Rafah and Kerem Shalom [Karem Abu Salem] border crossings must immediately be reopened.”

Source: Al Jazeera