Israel-Gaza – live: Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire as IDF orders 100,000 to evacuate Rafah

People have been asked to move to what Israel described as the “humanitarian zone” at Al-Mawasi as the army prepared for a “limited scope operation”, without confirming when the Rafah invasion would begin.

“In accordance with the approval of the political echelon, the IDF is calling on the population, which is under the control of Hamas, to temporarily evacuate from the eastern neighbourhoods of Rafah to the expanded humanitarian space,” a statement from the IDF said on Monday.

It said that it was contacting Palestinians through “announcements, text messages, phone calls and media broadcasts in Arabic”.

An Israeli official said no ceasefire had been agreed in Gaza, after Hamas said it had accepted a proposal from Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

The source said the proposal that Hamas had accepted was a “softened” version of an Egyptian proposal, which included “far-reaching” conclusions that Israel could not accept.

“This would appear to be a ruse intended to make Israel look like the side refusing a deal,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Gaza’s streets are full of people “shouting from happiness” about Hamas’s acceptance of a Egypt-Qatar brokered ceasefire, displaced Palestinians told The Independent‘s international correspondent Bel Trew.

“The streets are full of people who are shouting from happiness. Men women and children are all out,” said Nedal, who has been displaced from the north of Gaza multiple times and is in Rafah.

Sara, 24, who is in the centre of the besieged strip added that everyone had taken to the streets dancing and shouting over a “glimmer of hope”.

“Kids are screaming loudly, ceasefire, a ceasefire. Literally we are dancing,” she said. “We are happy because we are clinging onto these little glimmers of hope. I can’t wait to see this come true especially after the evacuation orders.”

Hamas said on Monday that it had accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar.

The Islamist faction said in a statement that its chief, Ismail Haniyeh, had informed Qatar’s prime minister and Egypt’s intelligence chief of its acceptance of their proposal.

There were no immediate details over what the agreement entailed or comment from Israel.

UN experts have condemned the continuous violence against Palestinians in Gaza over the past seven months.

“We are horrified at details emerging from mass graves recently unearthed in the Gaza Strip. Over 390 bodies have been discovered at Nasser and Al Shifa hospitals, including of women and children, with many reportedly showing signs of torture and summary executions, and potential instances of people buried alive,” the experts said in a statement today.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US President Joe Biden on Monday that he would ensure the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza is open for humanitarian aid, the White House said.

Biden also reiterated his “clear position on Rafah” in a call with Netanyahu, the White House said in a statement.

Rishi Sunak said he is “deeply concerned” about an Israeli offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Speaking during a visit to a north London community centre, the Prime Minister said: “I’ve been very consistent that we are deeply concerned about the prospect of a military incursion into Rafah, given the number of civilians that are sheltering there and the importance of that crossing for aid.

“I’ve made those points repeatedly to Prime Minister Netanyahu.

“The priority right now should be on all parties, but particularly Hamas, to agree to a deal to release hostages and allow more aid to go in as part of a temporary pause, which will allow us to build a sustainable ceasefire. That’s the best way to end the suffering. And that’s what I continue to call on all parties to do.”

Rishi Sunak said he is “deeply concerned” about an Israeli offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Speaking during a visit to a north London community centre, the Prime Minister said: “I’ve been very consistent that we are deeply concerned about the prospect of a military incursion into Rafah, given the number of civilians that are sheltering there and the importance of that crossing for aid.

“I’ve made those points repeatedly to Prime Minister Netanyahu. The priority right now should be on all parties, but particularly Hamas, to agree to a deal to release hostages and allow more aid to go in as part of a temporary pause, which will allow us to build a sustainable ceasefire.

“That’s the best way to end the suffering. And that’s what I continue to call on all parties to do.”