Israel’s forces have seized control of the Rafah border crossing, a critical link between Gaza and Egypt, in a significant escalation of the conflict in the region.
israeli flags in Rafah crossing border | Gaza pic.twitter.com/iBSfnBzSrj
โ Muhammad Smiry ๐ต๐ธ (@MuhammadSmiry) May 7, 2024
This move, which comes amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations, highlights Israel’s consistent aim to continue its offensive on the southern city of Rafah, despite international calls for restraint.
Israel’s Operation
The operation, led by the 401st Brigade, saw Israeli troops enter the Rafah crossing early on Tuesday, effectively cutting off a vital route for aid and potential refuge for civilians fleeing the violence. The closure of the passage accompanied the positioning of tanks in the city centre.
According to the Israeli military, the crossing was seized due to alleged terrorist activities, citing Hamas’s mortar attack on the Karem Abu Salem crossing earlier in the week. However, evidence supporting these claims has not been provided.
Escalation of Violence
The assault on Rafah has seen a sharp increase in violence, with airstrikes targeting residential areas and Hamas positions. At least 12 civilians have been killed in the latest attacks while the Israeli military claims to have struck around 20 Hamas fighters.
The closure of the Rafah crossing has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with aid shipments stopped and thousands of civilians trapped in the city. International organizations have warned of worsening shortages of essential supplies, including food, medicine and shelter.
Despite calls for restraint from the international community, including the United States of America and the European Union, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained his intention to press ahead with the offensive on Rafah.
ืืชืืื ื ืืคืขืื ืืจืคืื. ืืืืคื ื ืืช ืืืื ืืืืืก ืืืืื ืืฉืจืื. ื ืืฉืื ืขื ืื ืืฆืืื ืืืืืื. pic.twitter.com/vQUBYTOM3t
โ Benjamin Netanyahu – ืื ืืืื ื ืชื ืืื (@netanyahu) May 7, 2024
This stance has been reinforced by pressure from hardline nationalist coalition partners demanding decisive action against Hamas.
Ceasefire Negotiations
The seizure of the Rafah crossing comes amidst renewed truce talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt. While Hamas has signalled its acceptance of a truce agreement, Israel has raised objections to certain aspects of the proposal, including provisions related to a permanent ceasefire and the handling of Israeli hostages.
The situation in Rafah remains tense, with Israeli forces continuing their operations in the city. As negotiations for a ceasefire continue in Cairo, the fate of thousands of civilians trapped in Rafah hangs in darkness, with the threat of further violence looming large.
Death Toll
According to latest figures, the death toll of the Israel-Gaza War since 7 October, 2023 stands at 35287 people killed in Palestine and 1139 in Israel. Of the former, at least 498 people have been killed in the Occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
