Some rises after an Israeli strike as Israeli forces launch a ground and air operation in the eastern part of Rafah, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 7, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled

The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had taken operational control of the Palestinian side of Gaza‘s southern Rafah Crossing, which borders Egypt, while targeting the Hamas terrorist group’s fighters and infrastructure.

The military said forces were scanning the area in the morning after launching a ground and air operation in part of eastern Rafah on Monday night, amid diplomatic efforts abroad to achieve a new truce.

Throughout the seven-month conflict, Rafah, the only crossing not run by Israel, has been key for the delivery of aid in the Gaza war.

The Israeli military said a limited operation in Rafah was meant to kill terrorists and dismantle infrastructure used by Hamas, the Islamist group that governs the Palestinian enclave.

Israel‘s closest ally the United States has advised against an assault in Rafah, which Israeli officials have described as Hamas’ last bastion.

Palestinian health officials said Israeli tanks and planes pounded several areas in Rafah overnight.

Residents said Israel had dropped new leaflets on Tuesday, again warning people to leave areas in eastern Rafah.

Israeli tanks also shelled eastern areas of Beit Lahiya, Jabalia, and Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, residents said.

The Israeli military said most people and some international organizations had evacuated the area of eastern Rafah where it was operating. It said it killed some 20 fighters and found three tunnel shafts.

A separate, Israeli-controlled crossing nearby, Kerem Shalom, was closed on Tuesday for security reasons and will reopen once the security situation allows, the military said. Hamas on Sunday claimed responsibility for firing rockets at Israeli forces near the Kerem Shalom border crossing.

The war began when Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel from neighboring Gaza on Oct. 7, murdering 1,200 people and kidnapping over 250 others as hostages. Israel responded with a military campaign aimed at freeing the hostages and incapacitating Hamas to the point that it can no longer pose a major threat to the Israeli people from Gaza.