The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it has “operational control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing”, according to an official

The announcement follows what the IDF said were "targeted strikes" against Hamas in eastern Rafah, reports BBC.

The UN warned the closure of Rafah meant the two main aid arteries for Gaza were currently "choked off".

Talks are to resume in Cairo after Hamas said it would accept a deal drawn up by Egyptian mediators. It was however rejected by Israel as "far from meeting" its "core demands".

It is not clear exactly what Hamas has agreed to, but the proposal is thought to include the release of hostages and the return of displaced Palestinians within Gaza.

The war began when Hamas fighters stormed into southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 252 hostages.

More than 34,700 people have been killed in Gaza since then, the Hamas-run health ministry says.