Israeli forces launched a military operation in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip, on Monday, targeting multiple locations despite ongoing ceasefire talks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the proposed cease-fire did not meet Israel‘s key demands, even though Hamas had accepted the Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal earlier in the day.

The decision came despite opposition from the United States and other key Israeli allies.

Netanyahu is also under pressure from hard-line partners in his coalition who demand an attack on Rafah and could collapse his government if he signs onto a deal. But he also faces pressure from the families of hostages to reach a deal for their release.

Thousands of Israelis rallied around the country Monday night calling for an immediate agreement. About a thousand protesters swelled near the defence headquarters in Tel Aviv, where police tried to clear the road. In Jerusalem, about a hundred protesters marched toward Netanyahu’s residence with a banner reading, “The blood is on your hands”.

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