Late night recap

Hello Middle East Eye readers, 

If you're just joining our coverage, here's a round up of the latest developments as the Israeli war on Gaza enters its eighth month:

• Hamas accepted a US-mediated ceasefire proposal that it says would ensure a permanent end to the war and the exchange of all Israeli captives with Palestinian prisoners. 

• Israel said it does not agree to the terms of the proposal but added that a delegation would be sent to Cairo to find an agreement. 

• At the same time, the Israeli military intensified bombardment of Rafah as ground troops reportedly advanced towards the Gaza Strip city, indicating a possible start to the long-threatened ground invasion there.  

• Israeli army vehicles advanced towards the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt and the Karerm Shalom crossing with Israel, according to Egyptian and Palestinian media reports. 

• The Israeli military intends to take over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, sources have told CNN and Axios.

• Egypt expects the Israeli military to withdraw from the Palestinian side of Rafah crossing by Wednesday morning, according to Palestinian and Egyptian reports.  

• Several Palestinians have been reported killed and wounded in the ongoing heavy bombardment, with fears of a high death toll in the morning.