Israeli forces seize Gaza's Rafah border crossing, send tanks into city

Hamas accuses Israel of trying to undermine truce talks that are taking place in Cairo

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JERUSALEM Israeli forces seized control of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on May 7 and tanks pushed into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, as international mediators struggled to find agreement on a ceasefire between Israel and its Hamas foe.

Hamas accused Israel of trying to undermine the truce talks taking place in Cairo by mounting the offensive.

International aid agencies said the closing of the two main crossings into the southern Gaza Strip Rafah and Kerem Shalom - had virtually cut off the Palestinian enclave from outside aid, with very few stores available inside.

Israeli Army Radio announced its forces had taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing on the morning of May 7, and army footage showed tanks rolling through the complex and the Israeli flag raised on the Gaza side.

Despite international appeals for Israel to hold off an assault on Rafah, Israeli tanks and planes also attacked several areas and houses there overnight.

The Gaza Health Ministry said on May 7 that Israeli strikes across the enclave had killed 54 Palestinians and wounded 96 others.

That morning morning saw people searching for bodies under the rubble of wrecked buildings.

Mr Raed al-Derby said his wife and children had been killed.