Both Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) have refuted reports claiming a temporary ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the opening of the Rafah border for a few hours on Monday, allowing foreigners to leave and aid to enter.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there is currently no ceasefire agreement or the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza in exchange for the departure of foreigners via the Rafah border.
Earlier, Israel’s broadcasting authority had reported that the United States, Israel, and Egypt had agreed to keep the Rafah border open until 5 p.m.
On the Palestinian side, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, Ezat Al-Rishq, stated that the media reports regarding a ceasefire or the opening of the Rafah border are untrue.
The government’s media office in Gaza has also stated that there have been no communications or confirmations from the relevant Egyptian authorities regarding the opening of the Rafah border.
In Cairo, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, during a press conference with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna, mentioned that Israel has not allowed humanitarian aid to enter Gaza via the Rafah border.
Earlier, two Egyptian security sources had said that Egypt, Israel, and the United States had agreed on a ceasefire in southern Gaza starting at 9 a.m. local time, coinciding with the reopening of the Rafah border. These sources added that the ceasefire would initially last for several hours and one day.