It's on like Donkey Kong. Israel apparently didn't think much of the latest ceasefire deal (more of a surrender deal) that Hamas was supposedly considering. The Associated Press is reporting that the IDF has moved in and seized control of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The supposed deal that was in the works had been fleshed out between Egypt and Hamas' agents in Qatar. It would have effectively forced Israel to retreat and leave Hamas intact in Gaza, something that Bibi Netanyahu has said from the beginning was not an option. The tanks that moved into the crossing were flying Israeli flags and they were overtaking a sector from which Hamas recently launched rocket and mortar attacks against Israel. Ground troops and targeted airstrikes against Hamas positions followed shortly thereafter.

An Israeli tank brigade seized control Tuesday of the Gaza Strip side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, authorities said, moving forward with an offensive in the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remain on a knife’s edge.

The move comes after hours of whiplash in the Israel-Hamas war, with the militant group on Monday saying it accepted an Egyptian-Qatari mediated cease-fire proposal. Israel, meanwhile, insisted the deal did not meet its core demands. The high-stakes diplomatic moves and military brinkmanship left a glimmer of hope alive — but only barely — for an accord that could bring at least a pause in the 7-month-old war that has devastated the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli 401st Brigade entered the Rafah crossing early Tuesday morning, the Israeli military said, taking “operational control” of the crucial crossing. It’s the main route for aid entering the besieged enclave and exit for those able to flee into Egypt. Israel fully controls all access in and out of Gaza since the war began.

This seems like a smart move strategically. Israel should now be able to prevent any of Hamas' remaining fighters from escaping over the border. Of course, Egypt keeps a fairly tight grip on that crossing, so it's unclear if they would be able to do so, but why risk it? Further, Egypt has repeatedly warned that any exodus of Palestinians into their country could endanger the peace deal they have had in place with Israel since 1979. Egypt doesn't want the Palestinians any more than anyone else does.

This development represents further proof that Benjamin Netanyahu isn't taking orders from Joe Biden. The White House recently suspended the shipment of weapons and aid to Israel after "warning" our ally not to take Rafah. Netanyahu clearly values his nation's relationship with the United States, but he's not going to be held hostage by this administration. He made it clear after the October 7 terror attacks that Hamas had to be destroyed before any sort of long-term peace agreement could be put in place. Israel has already generously agreed to pauses in the fighting in the interest of saving any hostages who may remain alive, but Hamas has shown no interest in cooperating since the first exchange took place.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority called on the United States to "immediately intervene" and prevent Israel from taking Rafah. It seems a bit late for that. Also, this is yet another example of how other nations seem to be under the impression that Israel is under our control. They are not. Netanyahu will do what he feels is best to ensure the continued survival of his nation in the face of relentless attacks by Islamic terrorist forces such as Hamas. 

Turkey continued its recent pattern of stabbing its supposed allies in the back under the leadership of President Erdogan. One of their spokesmen issued a statement this morning describing the attack on Rafah as "another war crime." Of course, Erdogan is more in the pocket of Vladimir Putin these days than he is a true NATO ally, so we probably shouldn't be all that surprised.

The battle to take Rafah will almost certainly be bloody. There will be more deaths of noncombatant Gazans, leading to more outrage among the pro-Hamas protesters and America's adversaries. But as we say here so often, bad things happen in war. Hamas chose to start this war with Israel on October 7. Israel plans to finish it. Sadly, that's just the way the world works.