Hamas attack on aid crossing that killed Israeli troops leaves peace hopes in tatters

A Hamas attack on an aid crossing that killed Israeli troops was last night branded proof that the terror group is using Palestinians as 'human shields', dashing hopes for an end to the violence in Gaza.

The escalation came as the latest round of ceasefire talks were 'near to collapse', with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flatly ruling out any end to the war.

It follows US President Joe Biden reportedly putting a shipment of ammunition bound for Israel on hold amid university campus protests against his support for the country.

Ten rockets were launched from close to civilian shelters in southern Gaza towards the Kerem Shalom crossing yesterday – killing three soldiers and injuring 11, the Israeli military said.

As a result, it was closed to aid trucks travelling from Israel, just as the head of the UN World Food Programme warned of a 'full-blown famine' in northern Gaza.

The escalation came as the latest round of ceasefire talks were 'near to collapse', with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flatly ruling out any end to the war (file image) 

The Israeli military branded the attack 'a clear example of the terrorist organisation's systematic exploitation of humanitarian facilities and spaces, and their continued use of the Gazan civilian population as human shields'.

Hardline former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said: 'Yes, they're bombing their own lifeline of food and aid. This is another example of Hamas's perverse strategy: to kill their own people in order to hurt Israel.' 

Israel's foreign ministry added: 'Hamas shoots rockets from civilian centres at humanitarian crossings. This tells you everything you need to know.'

But Hamas sources insisted the target was an Israeli military base and denied using civilians as human shields.

It came as talks between Hamas negotiators and Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo threatened to break down. Mr Netanyahu said Israel is willing to pause fighting to secure the release of more than 130 hostages believed to be held by Hamas.

But Hamas insists any ceasefire must be part of an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant warned the deadlock meant further military action targeting Rafah – where more than a million displaced Gazan residents have taken refuge – would 'begin in the very near future'.