Axios

Israeli forces moved to capture the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza in the next few hours as Israel pushes forward with its military operation in the southern Gaza city, two sources with direct knowledge told Axios.

Why it matters: The Rafah crossing is a main entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza and Israel says the eastern part of the city is a strategic site for Hamas. More than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering in the city.

A new initiative is going through submitted videos from people around the world singing Hatikvah — the national anthem of Israel — that will be played alongside the Israel Philharmonic to promote peace.

The big picture: The effort by the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra comes as Israel is locked in a war in Gaza and as the U.S. remains divided on how the country should respond.

The United Nations on Monday debated Russia's recent veto of a resolution that would have called on countries to prevent a nuclear arms race in outer space.

Why it matters: The debate came days after U.S. officials publicly disclosed new details on a nuclear space weapon that Russia is allegedly developing.

Israel said Monday that an Egyptian-Qatari brokered hostage and ceasefire deal accepted by Hamas is "far from [their] requirements" but they plan to send a delegation to Cairo tomorrow to continue indirect talks.

Why it matters: If Israel and Hamas can agree to conditions, it could lead to the release of up to 33 hostages being held in Gaza and to a pause in fighting in the enclave for more than one month.

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone for 30 minutes Monday, discussing hostage deal negotiations and Israel's preparations for a ground invasion of Rafah, U.S. and Israeli officials said.

Why it matters: Biden is seeking to salvage the long-stalled Israel-Hamas hostage deal and avoid a massive Israeli military operation in Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians are taking shelter.

Israel on Monday started to evacuate Palestinian civilians from the eastern parts of Rafah close to the Israel border ahead of a possible ground invasion, the IDF said.

Why it matters: The Biden administration has expressed deep concern about the possibility of an Israeli military invasion in the southern Gaza city where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering.

Russia announced Monday that it intends to hold new tactical nuclear weapons drills "in the near future" amid rising tensions with the West over Russia's war in Ukraine.

Why it matters: This is the first time that Russia has announced drills for the weapons, which are designed for battlefield use and include artillery munitions and warheads for short-range missiles, AP reported.

Police officers raided Al Jazeera's Jerusalem bureau Sunday and pulled the network off the air in Israel after the Israeli parliament passed a measure forcing the closure of the Qatari-owned news outlet's local office.

Why it matters: The move silences one of the largest international media outlets on the ground covering the Israel-Hamas war. It complicates current conflict negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. are working to prevent the indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on a hostage deal that will lead to a ceasefire in Gaza from collapsing, two Israeli officials and a source with knowledge of the talks told Axios.

Why it matters: A collapse of the talks would risk another serious escalation in the six-month war, including an imminent Israeli invasion of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza where more than one million displaced Palestinians have been taking shelter.