Israeli forces take control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt
Jerusalem (AP): The Israeli military said it had established “operational control” over the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip overnight Monday into Tuesday.
Footage broadcast on Israeli media showed an Israeli flag flying on the Gaza side of the crossing, though the Israeli army refused to comment on the flag.
On Monday night, the Israeli military said it was carrying out “targeted strikes” in eastern Rafah. It said 20 Hamas were killed in the operation and it discovered three tunnel shafts. An Israeli army official said the vast majority of people located in the evacuation zone have left.
The crossing, just south of Gaza City, was taken over by Israeli tanks that are part of an armoured brigade, the Israeli Defence Forces and Palestinian officials said.
Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, said the crossing, the main entry of humanitarian aid to the war-torn strip, was out of service.
“The whole western area (of Rafah) has become a theatre of operations since yesterday. The bombardment has not stopped,” said Abu Omar, adding that crews have fled the facilities because of the bombing.
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Tension in Koppal village over Ambedkar flag during fair; five arrested
Koppal: Tension prevailed in Halwarti village of Koppal taluk after a clash reportedly broke out between members of Dalit and upper-caste communities over the hoisting of an Ambedkar flag during the Beeralingeshwara fair.
According to police, a verbal argument between youths from the two communities escalated into a physical confrontation, leading to unrest in the village.
In a related development, it has been alleged that members of the upper-caste community entered the house of a Dalit youth, identified as Gavisiddappa Hosamani, damaged the door and vandalised the front portion of the house.
As a precautionary measure, additional police personnel have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.
Police said a complaint has been registered at the Koppal Rural Police Station and five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. Further investigation is under way.
