Israel is pushing to attack Rafah as it negotiates a possible ceasefire deal

Hamas said on Monday it had agreed to a Qatari-Egyptian ceasefire proposal and Israel said it would send meditators to negotiations, reviving hopes for a lengthy lull in fighting in Gaza even as Israel vowed to continue its long-awaited military operation in Gaza Rafah.

Early Monday, the Israeli military ordered tens of thousands of civilians in the southern Gaza Strip to “immediately evacuate” and said it would use “extreme force” there, triggering a wave of fear among more than a million Palestinians seeking shelter in the area . Hours later, as displaced families rushed to once again pack up their belongings, panic gave way to jubilation after Hamas announced it had informed Arab mediators that it would agree to the ceasefire proposal.