The Rafah Crossing Under Attack: Israeli Warning to Egypt and International Condemnation of the Complete Siege
The Rafah Crossing Under Attack: Israeli Warning to Egypt and International Condemnation of the Complete Siege
The Rafah Crossing
In recent events, the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt has come under Israeli bombardment for the second time in less than 24 hours. Meanwhile, Israeli Channel 12 reported that the Egyptian side had received a warning from Israel regarding the danger of allowing humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
The Aerial Assault
The targeted airstrikes struck the buffer zone between the Egyptian and Palestinian gates of the Rafah Crossing, causing damage to the interior hall on the Palestinian side, as reported by the French Press Agency.
The Sinai Human Rights Organization stated that Israeli fighter jets were responsible for the strike, resulting in the closure of the crossing once again. The crossing had briefly closed the previous day due to Israeli shelling.
Earlier today, the Ministry of Interior in Gaza announced that the Rafah Crossing's Egyptian administration had notified the Palestinian crews of the need to evacuate the crossing due to Israeli threats of an imminent attack.
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| The Rafah Crossing |
The Sole Passage
The Rafah Crossing serves as the sole passage for Gaza to the outside world, with Egypt mostly keeping it open since May 2018 after years of almost constant closure. It remains the only lifeline for Gazans not controlled by Israel.
In the midst of these developments, Israeli Channel 12 claimed that Israel had "warned Egypt against aiding Gaza" and added that the warning message essentially stated, "If you bring supplies to Gaza, we will target the trucks."
However, the channel did not specify how this warning was conveyed to the Egyptian side, and there has been no immediate response from Cairo.
A Comprehensive Blockade
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a "complete blockade" on Gaza, cutting off all supplies, including water, food, electricity, and fuel, following the launching of the "Al-Aqsa Deluge" battle by Palestinian resistance against Israel last Saturday.
During previous conflicts in Gaza, countries and organizations used to send humanitarian aid through the Rafah border crossing between the strip and Egypt.
Illegality of the Blockade
On Tuesday, the United Nations firmly declared that the complete blockade on Gaza, declared by Israel, is prohibited under international humanitarian law.
UN Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated in a press release that "imposing a blockade puts civilian lives at risk by depriving them of essential goods for survival, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law."
The statement further noted that any restrictions on the movement of people and goods for the purpose of enforcing the blockade could amount to collective punishment.
Türk expressed deep shock and anger at the allegations of extrajudicial executions and, in some cases, horrific massacres committed by Palestinian armed groups.
International Appeal for Humanitarian Access
In response to the dire situation, the World Health Organization called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to Gaza after Israel imposed a complete blockade on the territory.
Speaking from Geneva, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic called for a cessation of violence between the two sides in Palestine and Israel.
Jasarevic emphasized the need for a humanitarian corridor to Gaza to deliver "critical medical supplies" to the population, given Israel's tightened blockade on the territory.
In conclusion, the situation at the Rafah Crossing and the complete blockade on Gaza have raised serious concerns both regionally and internationally. The ongoing conflict continues to have devastating consequences for the civilian population, prompting calls for humanitarian access and an end to hostilities.
