Israeli forces are poised to seize control of the Palestinian Arab sector of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza within hours as part of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the southern Gaza city, according to two sources briefed on the matter who spoke to Barak Ravid of Axios on Monday night.

The Rafah crossing serves as a primary entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza, and Israel contends that the eastern portion of the city holds strategic importance for Hamas.

According to a source familiar with the matter, IDF troops intend to assume control over the Palestinian Arab side of the crossing and oversee all aid shipments entering Gaza.

The source further stated that Israel views capturing the Rafah crossing as a means to undermine Hamas’s authority in Gaza.

In the days and weeks ahead, Israel aims for Gazans unaffiliated with Hamas to participate in managing and distributing aid entering the Strip from Egypt, the source added.

The developments follow the IDF’s confirmation on Monday night that it has commenced targeted strikes on terrorist targets in Rafah. Arab sources reported that IDF tanks and infantry units have begun crossing into the Rafah area from the southern Gaza Strip. Subsequent reports from Palestinian Arab sources indicated that IDF tanks advanced to within 200 meters of the Rafah crossing and initiated artillery fire on nearby structures.

The military operation was launched after Israel initiated the evacuation of civilians from eastern areas of Rafah near the Israeli border in anticipation of a potential ground incursion.

On Monday evening, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that the War Cabinet had voted to proceed with the military operation in Rafah despite Hamas’s assertion that it had agreed to a ceasefire deal.

“The War Cabinet unanimously concluded that Israel will continue its operation in Rafah to apply military pressure on Hamas, aiming to secure the release of our hostages and achieve other objectives of the conflict,” stated the Prime Minister’s Office.