Israeli airstrikes on Rafah begin despite mounting ceasefire pressure

Gazans thrown into confusion by Hamas’s acceptance of a deal, followed by Israel’s sceptical response and bomb attacks

Rafah’s fate hung in the balance on Monday after Hamas said it had accepted a ceasefire-for-hostage deal but Israel responded sceptically and carried out night airstrikes on Gaza’s southernmost city.

The more than a million Gazans taking refuge in Rafah were thrown into confusion by the day’s events. Israel issued orders for the evacuation of part of the city earlier on Monday, triggering an exodus of thousands of people. There were celebrations in the streets in the evening as Hamas’s announced it had accepted ceasefire, but then disappointment and bewilderment when Israel gave a tepid response and began bombing.