DaysofPal- The Palestinian Authority’s General Authority for Crossings and Borders announced that Israel fully closed the Rafah Crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday, bringing medical evacuation operations to a complete stop.
In a brief statement, the authority confirmed that patient evacuations would cease immediately due to the closure, without providing further details on the reasons or how long it might last.
The crossing had only recently resumed limited operations. Israel reopened the Palestinian side of Rafah on February 2, following its takeover of the facility in May 2024. Movement through the crossing remained heavily restricted, with complex procedures that significantly slowed travel, particularly for the sick and wounded seeking treatment abroad.
Repeated closures have deepened the crisis. Israeli authorities have shut the crossing for extended periods in the past, worsening the situation for thousands of patients who cannot access adequate medical care inside Gaza.
According to earlier radio statements by Raed al-Nems, spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, only about 700 patients have been able to leave Gaza since the crossing partially reopened. More than 18,000 wounded and ill individuals remain on waiting lists for medical evacuation.
Palestinians returning through Rafah have also reported harsh treatment. Some described being detained and interrogated for hours before being allowed to re-enter Gaza.
Before the genocide, Rafah served as a vital gateway for hundreds of Palestinians traveling in and out of the territory. It operated under joint management between Gaza’s Interior Ministry and Egyptian authorities, without direct Israeli involvement.
A ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10, 2025, included provisions for the full reopening of the crossing during its first phase. Israeli occupation forces have not implemented that commitment.
The closure comes alongside continued violations of the ceasefire. Early Monday, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed one Palestinian and injured several others.
Last Tuesday, Gaza’s government media office reported that Israel had committed 2,400 violations of the ceasefire agreement within six months of its implementation. These included killings, arrests, blockades, and restrictions on essential supplies.
The Hamas movement stated on Sunday that Israel has failed to carry out most provisions of the agreement’s first phase and continues daily violations. It called for international pressure to ensure compliance, arguing that this is necessary to move forward with serious discussions on the second phase.
The ongoing genocidal campaign, launched on October 7, 2023, has lasted nearly two years. It has resulted in more than 72,000 deaths and over 172,000 injuries among Palestinians, along with widespread destruction affecting around 90 percent of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure.
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