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Foreign reporters visit ‘unrecognizable’ Rafah for the first time

Jul 7, 2024, 12:16pm EDT
Middle East
Remains of destroyed buildings in Gaza.
Reuters/Amr Alfiky
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Foreign reporters witnessed widespread devastation in the Gazan town of Rafah, two months after the Israeli military launched a ground offensive there.

The city was described as a “flattened wasteland,” a “maze of rubble,” and “unrecognizable.” It was the first time international media had been allowed into Rafah since Israel began what it called a “limited” operation.

But the level of destruction called Israel’s characterization into question, the reports said; the military said many of the destroyed buildings were either booby trapped or used by Hamas to fire on Israeli forces.

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The convoy visit came days after Hamas softened its position on a ceasefire deal, with the group saying Sunday that it is waiting for Israel’s response to its latest proposal.

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