Israel closes Gaza's Rafah crossing amid attacks on Iran

"The Rafah crossing, located on Gaza's southern border, had reopened only last month, allowing a limited number of Palestinians to leave for the first time in months, including patients in urgent need of medical care. The crossing is considered vital for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of critically ill patients."

"Virtually all of Gaza's population of more than two million people was displaced during Israel's genocidal war on the territory, and the enclave remains heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance. In mid-February, the United Nations said it continued to face impediments in delivering lifesaving aid to Gaza."

"In a February report, Human Rights Watch said Israeli restrictions had contributed to shortages of medicines, reconstruction materials, food and water inside the Strip. COGAT claimed that sufficient food had entered Gaza since the start of the ceasefire to meet four times the nutritional needs of the population."

Israel's COGAT closed the Rafah crossing, Gaza's vital southern border crossing with Egypt, citing security adjustments during joint Israeli-US operations against Iran. The crossing, which reopened last month for limited Palestinian departures including medical patients, is critical for humanitarian aid delivery and evacuating critically ill patients. Gaza's population of over two million remains displaced and dependent on humanitarian assistance. COGAT claims sufficient food has entered since the ceasefire began to meet four times the population's nutritional needs, asserting the closure will not impact humanitarian conditions. However, Human Rights Watch previously documented Israeli restrictions causing shortages of medicines, reconstruction materials, food, and water.

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