Palestine (Washington Insider Magazine)— Israeli forces have closed the Rafah border crossing, situated between Egypt and Gaza, to both people and humanitarian aid following their military takeover of the area on the Palestinian side. This announcement was made by the spokesman for Israel’s Humanitarian Coordination Office, Jens Laerke, at the United Nations today.
Impact on Humanitarian Operations
Laerke expressed concern over the implications of this blockade on civilians and humanitarian operations across Gaza. He noted that Israel’s defense forces have disregarded warnings about the potential consequences of the closure, which could severely impact the survival of Gaza’s population by restricting access to essential aid.
Historical Aid Routes Sealed
Most of the limited humanitarian assistance permitted by Israel since the beginning of the conflict had been entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing. Additionally, the Kerem Shalom secondary crossing, which had been facilitating a small volume of aid since December, was closed by Israel a few days ago and remains shut despite previous commitments to reopen it.
Dire Situation Unfolds
With the closure of both main aid routes into Gaza, Laerke described the current situation as one of the darkest moments in the ongoing conflict, lasting for seven months. Israeli authorities have also restricted access for UN humanitarian personnel near the border crossing, hindering coordination for the resumption of aid movements.
Humanitarian Challenges
The limitations imposed by Israel on the flow of humanitarian supplies have led to immediate distribution upon entry, leaving no reserves of essential resources such as food, water, and fuel. This lack of fuel poses a threat to critical services like transportation, hospital generators, and communication equipment, which depend on diesel to function.
Civilian Evacuation Orders
According to Eltiempo, Israel’s military operation in Rafah has resulted in the evacuation of civilians from 76% of the town’s territory. Panic and desperation among the displaced population have been reported, with many relocating to the already devastated north of Gaza.
Concerns and Inquiries
The UN has expressed intentions to inquire with Israeli authorities about the status of truck scanning at the Kerem Shalom crossing, essential for delivering aid to Gaza. This includes shipments scheduled for arrival through other entry points like Erez in the north, which caters to hundreds of thousands of people in that area of Gaza.