Israel Closes Gaza Crossing Amid Rocket Fire: Tensions Rise Amid Ceasefire Talks

New Delhi: Israel has closed the Kerem Shalom crossing with Gaza after Hamas fired rockets from within the strip, the military has said. At least 10 people were injured, some seriously, Israeli media report.

The crossing is one of the few routes to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. The attack came as mediators in Egypt held talks to broker a ceasefire.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said 10 projectiles were fired from an area near the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza, located approximately 3.6km (2.2 miles) from Kerem Shalom.

According to the IDF, they were fired from a site some 350m from a civilian shelter. Israeli fighter jets then struck the launcher from where they were fired and another military structure close by, it said in a statement.

Hamas sent a delegation to the truce talks in Cairo. The main sticking point appeared to be whether the truce would be permanent - as Hamas insists - or not. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the proposed ceasefire deal would keep Hamas in control of Gaza, posing a threat to Israel.

The Israeli government also faces mounting pressure at home. Of the 252 hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October, 128 are still unaccounted for - and among them, at least 34 are presumed dead.

Hamas says that the current round of ceasefire talks in Egypt has ended and that its negotiating team will leave for Doha this evening, as chief Ismail Haniyeh blames Israeli PM Netanyahu for “sabotaging” the talks. Al Jazeera reports.