Israeli forces take control of a key border crossing of Gaza as negotiations for a ceasefire

and hostage release continue. We'll bring you the very latest out of the Middle East straight ahead.

Plus, we'll go through yesterday's key moments in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including

the judge's warning about potential jail time for the former president.

And we'll get an update live from Capitol Hill on the looming threat to remove speaker Mike Johnson.

Thank you. Good morning and welcome to way too early on this Tuesday, May 7th.

I'm Jonathan Lemire.

Thanks for starting your day with us.

And we'll begin this morning with the Israeli defense forces announcing they've taken operational control of the Gaza side of the Rafa crossing. The military released this video

overnight of troops entering the area and beginning a, quote, precise counterterrorism operation.

Israeli officials say they seized the crossing.

After receiving intelligence, it was being used for terrorist purposes.

No evidence to support that claim was provided.

The IDF also conducted airstrikes that targeted suspected Hamas positions in Rafa.

Now, the move comes just one day after Israel ordered about 100,000

civilians to immediately evacuate the southern parts of that city. Officials say they will operate

with extreme force in those areas. And shortly after Israel ordered civilians to evacuate Rafa,

Hamas announced it would accept

its interpretation of a ceasefire proposal.

But just hours later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement saying

the proposal Hamas agreed to does not meet Israel's demands.

NBC News obtained a copy of the draft.

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