The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the destruction of Gaza’s main border crossing with Egypt, Rafah. Brigade 401 took control of the crossing overnight, rendering it unusable. This closure adds to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where civilians are trapped amid ongoing conflicts. The crossing, crucial for international aid, has been incinerated, impacting relief efforts severely. Additionally, Israeli actions have obstructed aid and exacerbated conditions, drawing international criticism.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Gaza’s only border crossing with Egypt has been devastated to the point of being unusable for the first time.
“This is how Rafah crossing looks today, destroyed and no longer usable after being taken over by Brigade 401 in one night,” said a statement released by Israeli Army Radio a few days ago. The statement further stated that “Due to its relative proximity to the border, the Israeli army used the crossing as a stopping point and resting area.”
For the majority of the fighting, which dates back to October 7, Egyptian border troops and Palestinian officials operated on opposing sides. Egypt’s administration has been preparing for a potential refugee crisis for some time, particularly since Israel began its ground battle in Rafah.
The Rafah crossing is currently under IDF surveillance and is practically blocked, which will worsen the humanitarian situation by trapping civilians in the middle of the Israel-Hamas fighting that is happening in the streets of southern Gaza with nowhere to flee.
Regarding the crossing’s physical condition, war correspondents have verified that its exterior was destroyed by fire: “Occupation forces damaged Rafah crossing’s halls that were used by locals to exit the Strip,” as stated in a previous Middle East Eye report.
A statement from China’s CGTN is given below:
On June 19, a journalist filmed the scene from the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing after the Israeli army began its ground military operation in May. The crossing, located on the southern border with Egypt, is the main route for international humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces have razed an umber of buildings here besides blocking humanitarian aid and personnel from entering Gaza. June 20 marks the World Refugee Day. However, many people displaced in the Gaza Strip and the living environment has been destroyed by the war.
Middle East and North Africa Director of Oxfam, Sally Abi Khalil, has been vocal about her anger with Israel, stating last week that the government “claimed weeks ago that it would provide full humanitarian support and medical assistance to civilians it had told to move.”
A video that displays the crossing’s current status:
She added, “Not only is this not happening, but its ongoing impunity, bombardment, and deliberate obstruction have created unprecedented and impossibly dangerous conditions for humanitarian agencies to operate.”
The US-built pier is also struggling in the interim. Because of the rough waters in the Eastern Mediterranean, it has been out of commission for a longer period than it has been in service.
Recently, GreatGameIndia reported that, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, the US-built Gaza pier needs to be completely removed and repaired, a process that will take at least a week.
4 Responses
Gaza is Hamas.
Hamas is Gaza.
Israel has no choice.
Babies and children are not Hamas unless the brutal treatment meted out to them and their family turns them that way as they get older. Excuses for mass killing really upset me
Hamas is Gaza
Gaza is Hamas
Israel has no choice.
I used to be for a 2 state solution but now Israel should become the guest, it’s only fair:
Free Palestine