All official cross-border travel has ceased, with the exception of foreign nationals and the severely injured, with cross-border movement still largely managed by Hala, which charges large sums.
Israel has used the potential of a Rafah operation as one of its pressure levers to push Hamas to make a deal.
The talks between Israel, Qatar, and Egypt will reportedly focus on remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas, including over prisoner releases and humanitarian aid.
Dalia Ziada condemned the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 but then faced a wave of threats and criticism at home and had to flee to the US.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Issa said 3.6 million tourists visited in the October-December 2023 period.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said Israel had been "thwarting" efforts to conclude a ceasefire deal.
Escapees include nephews and nieces of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and according to the list obtained by N12, the children of Sinwar's sister were smuggled through the Rafah crossing only recently.
Sudanese senior advisor says that Iran wants to build a naval base on their land and offers a helicopter carrier as payment. Sudan rejects the offer in fear of the US and Israel's response.
Israel has said it is ready to accept a temporary halt to fighting during a hostage, prisoner swap, but Israeli PM Netanyahu has said the military campaign should continue until "total victory".
"Insanity is to repeat the same action and expect a different result. But apparently the Netanyahu government hasn't heard this."
JPOST Digital Library
