The Israeli military assumed control of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on Tuesday, and its tanks drove into the southern Gazan town of Rafah following a night of air attacks on the Palestinian enclave, according to Reuters.
The Israeli offensive took place as mediators struggled to secure a ceasefire agreement between Israel and its Hamas foes and as the conflict entered its 8th month.
The Palestinian militant group said late on Monday it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal but Israel said the terms did not meet its demands.