The Israel Defense Forces took control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt on Tuesday morning, as tanks from the 401st Armored Brigade of the 162nd Division rolled right up to the station.
The Israeli flag was raised at the Rafah crossing and video showed an armored vehicle arriving at one of the buildings there, next to a sign that says “Gaza” in English. The IDF shared pictures and video of the moments that the Rafah crossing was captured.
The General Authority for Crossings and Borders in the Gaza Strip has announced a complete halt to passenger traffic and aid into the Gaza Strip.
Separately, the IDF’s Givati Brigade captured the Salah a-Din road in eastern Rafah in an overnight offensive.
The capture of the crossing comes after the IDF announced on Monday night that it was conducting targeted strikes against Hamas targets in eastern Rafah. More than 100 Hamas sites were hit in the city, where the majority of the terror group’s remaining forces are located.
During the overnight operation, the IDF said that some 20 gunmen were killed and that Israeli forces located three “significant” tunnel shafts.
Additionally, the military said that an explosives-laden car was destroyed after approaching an IDF tank.
Israeli forces were also scanning the area for rocket launch sites, including the site from which Sunday’s attack on Kibbutz Kerem Shalom was launched. Four Israeli soldiers were wounded in that attack, and at least three others seriously wounded.
No IDF injuries were reported during the overnight operation.
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