Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning to Israel following its incursion into the Palestinian border town of Rafah amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) took control of the Salah al-Din crossing in eastern Rafah, connecting Gaza and Egypt, while continuing airstrikes in the region.

In response to these developments, Putin emphasized the importance of Israel adhering to international humanitarian law in Rafah. Russian spokesperson Maria Zakharova delivered Putin's message, labeling the incursion as aggression and a threat to the stability of the region inhabited by over a million citizens.

The Russian president demanded Israel's strict compliance with various clauses of international humanitarian law, warning that any further degradation of the humanitarian situation in Rafah would be deemed as aggression by Moscow.

Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza have been ongoing between Egypt, Qatar, and Hamas in recent days. While Hamas has agreed to the ceasefire proposal, Israel rejected it, citing unmet conditions. Instead, Israel announced the continuation of operations in Rafah and initiated a ground operation, leading to the seizure of the Rafah crossing.

The IDF confirmed its overnight ground operations and airstrikes, resulting in the destruction of numerous houses in Rafah. With over 1 million displaced Palestinians in Rafah, their lives are once again under threat. Amidst mounting concerns, the United States has urged Israel to halt its attacks on Rafah until a humanitarian plan is established to provide shelter for the affected Palestinians.