Israel says Hamas attacks Gaza border crossing, wounding 10 Israelis and forcing its closure

JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas militants attacked Israel’s main border crossing on Sunday delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Stripreportedly injuring several Israelis and prompting Israel to close the terminal.

The attack disrupted crucial shipments of food and other humanitarian aid to Gaza, dealing a new blow to ongoing ceasefire efforts brokered by Egypt and Qatar. In another possible setback, Israel said it would close the Qatari satellite channel Al Jazeera, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he rejected Hamas’s latest demands and vowed to keep fighting.

The Israeli military reported ten launches at the Kerem Shalom border crossing. Hamas said it was targeting Israeli soldiers in the area. According to Israeli TV channel Channel 12, ten people were injured, three of them seriously.

Israel The Kerem Shalom crossing has become the main gateway for much-needed humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. The military said the border crossing was immediately closed, halting the delivery of aid to hard-hit Gaza. It was unclear how long the closure would remain in effect.

The incident comes as Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis with shortages of food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies.

The attack threatened to complicate ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Egypt. A Hamas delegation was in Cairo on Saturday while Egyptian state media reported “noticeable progress” in the ceasefire talks.

However, Israel has not sent a delegation to Cairo and a senior Israeli official downplayed the prospects of a complete end to the war while emphasizing Israel’s commitment to invading Rafah.

Egyptian and Hamas officials have said the deal calls for an extended pause in fighting in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. But the sides remain at odds over whether the deal would mean an end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Netanyahu further lowered expectations on Sunday when he accused Hamas of making unacceptable demands.

While asserting that Israel has shown willingness to make concessions, he said: “Hamas has still stuck to its extreme positions, primarily withdrawing our troops from the strip, ending the war and leaving intact Hamas.”

“Israel will not agree to Hamas’ demands, which would mean a surrender; it will continue to fight until all its objectives are achieved,” he said.

Israel began its war in response to Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7, which killed about 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. An Israeli air and ground offensive has killed more than 34,500 people, displaced about 80% of Gaza’s population and led to a humanitarian disaster, according to Palestinian health officials.

Egypt and Qatar have worked with the United States to broker a ceasefire.

On Sunday, Netanyahu’s cabinet approved a measure to close Qatar News channel Al Jazeera, accusing it of broadcasting anti-Israel incitement. The decision threatened to further disrupt ceasefire negotiations. There was no immediate comment from Qatar.

___

Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.