DaysofPal- Israeli aggression has turned the city of Rafah, which is in the far south of the Gaza Strip, into a disaster area. Attacks have been ongoing, destroying public services and infrastructure and killing unarmed civilians on a scale the Government Media Office (GMO) calls one of the most horrifying instances of ethnic cleansing in modern history.
In a statement issued Sunday, the GMO said the Israeli occupation had turned Rafah into a “closed military zone,” effectively isolating it from the rest of Gaza. The city, once a refuge for displaced families, has been subjected to what the statement called “horrific massacres and massive destruction that has touched every aspect of life.”
Despite a ceasefire agreement that came into effect on January 19, Israeli forces have continued their military operations in Rafah. Dozens of civilians have been killed, many of them while attempting to return to the ruins of their homes. The GMO described this as “systematic destruction,” suggesting the deliberate targeting of civilians and public infrastructure even during a declared truce.
Once home to around 300,000 people and spanning 60 square kilometers, Rafah is now deemed uninhabitable. Over 90% of its homes, more than 20,000 buildings containing over 50,000 housing units, have been completely destroyed. The destruction extends to the city’s water supply: 22 out of 24 water wells, including the vital “Canada Well,” have been demolished, leaving tens of thousands without access to clean drinking water.
The infrastructure collapse is equally devastating. Around 85% of the sewage system has been destroyed, creating a dire public health crisis. The statement noted that nearly 320 kilometers of roads have been bulldozed, further obstructing relief efforts and emergency responses. Twelve health centers, including the Abu Yousef Al-Najjar Hospital, the Maternity Hospital, and the Indonesian Hospital, have been completely leveled.
The damage has extended to every corner of civilian life. Eight schools have been destroyed, and many more are badly damaged. More than 100 mosques have been demolished. Large areas of farmland, including greenhouses and fruit trees, have been erased, severely impacting food security.
The municipality of Rafah has declared the city a “total disaster zone,” citing the forced displacement of tens of thousands of residents and the destruction of 30 out of 36 government buildings, including the main municipal headquarters.
The Israeli military has also flattened a 12-kilometer-long, 900-meter-deep strip along the border with Egypt, effectively erasing 90% of the city’s residential neighborhoods, especially in the districts of Al-Salam, Brazil, Al-Jneina, and Rafah Camp.
The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen as the Kerem Shalom crossing remains closed for over a month, preventing the entry of vital fuel, spare parts, and humanitarian aid. Without fuel, water pumps cannot operate, and the already fragile infrastructure is left beyond repair.
In light of the catastrophe, the GMO issued an urgent appeal to the international community, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations, urging them to act swiftly and fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities. The statement calls for pressure on Israel to withdraw from Rafah, the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors, the dispatch of international fact-finding missions to document war crimes, the immediate start of reconstruction efforts, and the holding of the occupying forces accountable for crimes against civilians.
The statement ended with a strong message: Rafah has been deliberately destroyed to eradicate its people and history, not just bombed. Yet amid the rubble, the resilience of its residents endures. Their determination to survive stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit in the face of overwhelming brutality.
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