Israeli forces have seized control of the Rafah crossing, which is the main point of entry for humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The seizure came after warnings of a possible military offensive against the city, which houses nearly 1.4 million Palestinians.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had initiated “targeted activity” in “limited areas” in eastern Rafah, with the goal of destroying terrorist infrastructure belonging to Hamas. The IDF claimed that terrorists were using the crossing for their operations, leading to its seizure.
According to reports, several terrorist targets have been attacked and destroyed by the IDF, including military buildings and underground infrastructure. This operation has resulted in the death of approximately 20 terrorists and the discovery of three tunnels in the area, with no casualties among military personnel.
Palestinians living in eastern neighborhoods of Rafah were called on to leave by Israeli authorities due to an imminent military offensive. The Gaza Crossings and Borders Authority confirmed that passenger traffic and humanitarian aid entry have been suspended following the Israeli operation.
The closure of the crossing has led to concerns about its impact on humanitarian efforts in Gaza, where many residents are displaced from other parts of the region. International organizations have warned about the potential consequences of such an attack on a city where over half of its population lives below or near poverty line and lacks basic necessities like clean water and electricity.