Israel claims control of key Rafah crossing after rejecting ceasefire deal with Hamas

The Israeli military claims it has taken control of the vital Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt – hours after rejecting a ceasefire deal accepted by Hamas. Israel said it was conducting “targeted strikes” against Hamas in the east of Rafah, which is the group’s final stronghold in Gaza. A Gaza border authority spokesperson told Reuters news agency the crossing, a major route for aid into the devastated enclave, has been closed because of the presence of Israeli tanks.