Netanyahu weighs risks of Rafah assault as hostage dilemma divides Israelis Talks aimed at reaching a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal are ongoing, and Israel and Hamas militants are close enough to an agreement that they should be able to close the gaps, the White House said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Israel is pursuing an incursion into the overcrowded southern city of Rafah on Tuesday and seized the Rafah crossing into Egypt that is the main conduit for aid into the besieged Palestinian territory. Story by Catherine Khédir-Clifford.