Rafah invasion: How Israeli control of crossing will cut vital aid lifeline to Palestinians
Israeli military vehicles pictured on the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on 7 May 2024
Rayhan Uddin reports in Middle East Eye on 7 May 2024:
Israeli capture of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza further endangered the already bleak humanitarian and medical situation in the enclave.
Israel’s 401st Armoured Brigade took control of the crossing in southern Gaza on Tuesday [7 May] morning, after another brigade disconnected Salah al-Din road in eastern Rafah from the crossing overnight. The Israeli flag was raised on flag poles at the crossing, while the Palestinian flag was pulled to the ground.
The Rafah crossing is a vital lifeline for Palestinians, as the only gateway in and out of the enclave not directly controlled by Israel. Since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007, the crossing has been jointly administered by Egypt and Hamas.
The Israeli military said the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing along the boundary between Gaza, Israel and Egypt, which Israeli authorities control, had also been closed for security reasons.
The ground operation comes after several days of heavy bombardment of Rafah, where over 1 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering in tents and makeshift homes.
Middle East Eye takes a look at how the ground invasion into eastern Rafah and areas along the boundary with Egypt will impact Palestinians.
Devastating impact
The Palestinian health ministry said that all operations at the crossing were halted due to Israel capturing the gateway.
“The wounded, sick and their relatives were prevented from travelling to receive treatment outside Gaza,” the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. “We have travel lists for thousands of cases of wounded and sick, and now they have been prevented.”