Israel-Hamas conflict
(Photo : Photo by /AFP via Getty Images)
Palestinians search for survivors following an Israeli rocket attack in the center of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Following a rocket barrage from Hamas, Israel shut down a main crossing for humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Israel shut down operations at the Kerem Shalom humanitarian crossing into Gaza on Sunday after a rocket barrage was fired by Hamas from the southern city of Rafah in Gaza— raising serious concerns about extremely fragile current negotiations regarding a ceasefire and the release of hostages. 

The Israeli army said some 10 projectiles were fired at Kerem Shalom, a main route for humanitarian aid, which was recently visited by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Reuters reported that Israel was already attacking Gaza, and Getty photographs showed damage in Rafah.

Hamas' military wing claimed responsibility for the rocket barrage, while Israel's Foreign Ministry took to social media to report that seven individuals had been injured in the attack.

The launches, according to Bloomberg News, took place "adjacent to the Rafah Crossing, located approximately .2 miles (350 meters) from civilian shelters." 

The attacks and response occurred even as Hamas representatives were in Cairo over the weekend to discuss the possible release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire. Egyptian state media reported "noticeable progress" in the talks that reportedly did not include Israeli negotiators — but that was before the latest developments.

The Hamas attack reportedly came just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel's willingness to temporarily halt the conflict in Gaza to negotiate the release of hostages — but outright refused Hamas' demand to end the war entirely. Israel's defense minister warned that preparations for a potential assault on Rafah are ongoing.

Giving in to Hamas' demands would be a "terrible defeat" for Israel, a huge victory for Hamas and Iran, and would project a "terrible weakness" to Israel's friends and enemies alike, Netanyahu said in a statement. "This weakness will only bring the next war closer, and it will push the next peace agreement further away."

Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh iinsisted the negotiating had brought "seriousness and positivity" to the current talks. 

Haniyeh emphasized that Hamas remains eager to secure a comprehensive agreement ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces and facilitating a substantial exchange of prisoners and hostages.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted to X, writing that "IDF forces are ready for a powerful operation all over Gaza and especially in the Rafah area."

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