Israeli forces say they have operational control of Palestinian side of Rafah crossing in Gaza

Gaza border authority confirms the presence of Israel’s tanks at the crossing, the sole gateway between Egypt and Gaza for humanitarian aid

• IDF says it has control of Rafah crossing – follow it live

Israeli military forces have taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a key strategic objective and the sole gateway between Egypt and Gaza for humanitarian aid, Israeli military officials have confirmed.

“At the moment we have operational control of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing and we have special forces scanning the crossing … That is what is happening in the upcoming hours. The operation is not over … I can’t give a timeline,” a military official said on Tuesday morning.