Middle East conflict live updates: IDF urges civilians to evacuate parts of Rafah; cease-fire talks at impasse

Three Israeli soldiers were killed and others wounded in a rocket attack on the Kerem Shalom border crossing Sunday, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Hamas claimed credit for the strike on the crossing, which was closed for humanitarian aid.

Israel’s Defense Ministry briefed more than 10 humanitarian groups last week on its planned operation in Rafah, according to representatives from three international aid agencies, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss the briefing. U.S. officials have insisted that Israel provide for the safe evacuation of the more than a million displaced Palestinians sheltering in the city.

At least 34,683 people have been killed and 78,018 injured in Gaza since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority of the dead are women and children.

Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, including more than 300 soldiers, and says 266 soldiers have been killed since the launch of its military operation in Gaza.