DaysofPal — Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said Tuesday that the continued Israeli closure of the Rafah Crossing reflects what he described as an intention to tighten further the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.
In remarks reported by Palestine Online, Qassem said the closure of the crossing under what he called “weak security justifications and false claims” represents a serious violation of the ceasefire agreement.
He added that keeping the crossing closed signals a retreat from commitments made to mediators, particularly Egypt, which has played a key role in mediation efforts.
Qassem said the continued closure prevents tens of thousands of wounded Palestinians from traveling abroad to receive medical treatment, warning that dozens have already died after being denied the opportunity to seek care outside Gaza.
He noted that the situation is worsened by the extensive destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure during the ongoing war.
According to Qassem, blocking the crossing also constitutes a violation of international conventions guaranteeing freedom of movement and the right to enter and leave one’s country.
Last week, the Israeli occupation announced a partial reopening of the Kerem Shalom Crossing under U.S. pressure to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
However, other crossings remain closed, including Rafah, which is considered the main gateway for the movement of Gaza’s residents in and out of the territory.
Hebrew-language media reports indicated that the Israeli occupation has not yet issued political-level instructions to reopen the crossing, citing current field conditions that they say do not permit it.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s healthcare sector continues to face a severe crisis due to restrictions on the entry of medicines and medical supplies, alongside the impact of Israeli attacks on medical personnel and the widespread destruction of major hospitals during nearly two years of war.
Reports by international and human rights organizations warn that Gaza’s healthcare system is on the verge of total collapse, struggling to meet the growing needs of patients and the increasing number of wounded requiring urgent medical care.
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