A picture taken from a position in southern Israel on February 16, 2024 shows smoke billowing following Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.RAFAH, Palestinian Territories —
The militant group on Sunday called Biden's statement a "setback" to the negotiations, and said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "rushed to overturn" the talks by launching the Rafah offensive. AFP correspondents, witnesses and medics said Israeli strikes pounded several areas of Gaza overnight.The territory's health ministry said at least 63 people were killed over the previous 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll from Israel's bombardment and offensive in Gaza to at least 35,034 people, mostly women and children.
Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Saturday that "in recent weeks we have identified attempts by Hamas to rebuild its military capabilities in Jabalia, and we are acting to destroy these attempts". He also said there was an operation in Zeitoun. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said in a post on X Sunday Israel's evacuation orders were "forcing people in Rafah to flee anywhere and everywhere"."We have reached a point where we wish for death," said Umm Mohammed Al-Mughayyir, adding that she has had to move her family seven times to escape the fighting.
Residents were told to go to the Al-Mawasi "humanitarian zone" on the coast northwest of Rafah, though aid groups have warned it was not ready for an influx of people.