Israel closes Gaza’s Rafah crossing amid attacks on Iran | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Israel Closes Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt Amid Conflict Escalation
Israel has officially closed the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, essential for humanitarian aid and patient evacuations, following heightened military operations against Iran conducted jointly with the United States.
Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) issued a statement confirming the closure, citing “necessary security adjustments.” The statement noted that the crossing will remain closed until further notice.
The Rafah crossing, situated on Gaza’s southern border, had only recently reopened, allowing limited movement for Palestinians in urgent need of medical care. The recent closure raises concerns about the access to humanitarian aid and the evacuation of critically ill patients.
Over two million residents of Gaza, many of whom have been displaced during ongoing conflicts, rely heavily on humanitarian assistance. The situation has worsened, with the United Nations reporting ongoing obstacles to delivering lifesaving aid to the territory.
A February report by Human Rights Watch highlighted that Israeli restrictions have caused shortages of food, water, medicines, and reconstruction materials in Gaza. COGAT, however, claimed that sufficient food has been delivered since the onset of a ceasefire, asserting that food supplies are “four times the nutritional needs” of the population. The organization did not provide evidence to substantiate this claim.
Furthermore, COGAT stated that the closure of the crossings will not adversely affect the humanitarian situation in Gaza and promised to maintain communication with the international community regarding future developments.
COGAT is tasked with managing civil affairs in the occupied Palestinian territory. Critics argue that it serves as a mechanism for surveillance and control, particularly through movement restrictions and border closures.
