GAZA – The critical Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains closed for a third consecutive day, stranding foreign nationals and critically ill patients while severely hampering the delivery of essential humanitarian aid.
The closure comes amidst repeated violations of a fragile, days-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, casting doubt on the truce’s longevity.
Despite diplomatic efforts by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, the passage has not reopened since hostilities temporarily paused.
Aid trucks, which had been moving through the crossing during the ceasefire, are now stalled on the Egyptian side.
United Nations officials have expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation within the Gaza Strip, where populations face severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
The Israeli military has reported several isolated incidents of fire from within Gaza, which it states were met with responsive attacks on the sources of the launches.
Hamas officials say: Israel of provocations and failing to uphold its end of the agreement, which included the release of hostages and prisoners.
A spokesperson for a Hamas-linked group stated, “The occupation’s breaches are undermining the mediation efforts and creating an atmosphere of escalation.”
The continued closure of Rafah, the only entry point into Gaza is controlled by Israel (since May 2024), effectively traps the enclave’s 2.3 million residents.
With the ceasefire under strain and the crossing shut, hopes for a sustained period of calm and a much-needed surge of aid are fading.
International calls for both parties to fully respect the ceasefire and allow humanitarian access have intensified.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, Reuters, The Guardian