The city the world is watching. Overflowing with hungry refugees and facing a lethal showdown between Hamas and Israeli forces, Rafah is at the heart of an urgent push for peace. Children are scavenging for food even as aid trucks line up over the border in Egypt and diplomats try to avert a further humanitarian catastrophe. President Biden is positive a deal can be reached. But Israel says its hostages must be home by Ramadan, or else.

Katya speaks to the BBC’s Gaza correspondent, Rushdi Abualouf, and our special correspondent in Jerusalem, Fergal Keane.

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Today’s podcast was made by Neal Razzell, Bethan Ashmead Latham and Laurie Kalus. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.