The BRICS TimesThe closure of Rafah has worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Famine and mass displacement sadly continue there. Aid deliveries remain far below the necessary levels.
Israel Links Reopening to Hostage Remains
The Rafah border crossing connects Gaza and Egypt. It will stay closed indefinitely, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. He linked its reopening to Hamas returning the bodies of deceased hostages. This move deepens the mistrust between Israel and Hamas. Both sides accuse the other of violating the fragile US-brokered truce. Earlier on Saturday, the Palestinian embassy in Egypt said Rafah would reopen Monday for entry into Gaza. However, Netanyahu’s statement soon after canceled that plan.
Why the Rafah Border is Crucial for Gazans
The opening of the Rafah border crossing is vital. Before the war, this was Gaza’s only passage to the outside world. Israel did not directly control this crossing then. The corridor serves as the primary route for civilians and medical evacuations. It is also the main way for humanitarian aid to enter. After the truce began, many trucks carrying humanitarian aid used this same route. The crossing links southern Gaza with Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. It has long been a vital corridor for over two million Gazans. They face movement restrictions and a strict blockade.
Dispute Over Hostages
Hamas said Israel violated the truce by keeping Rafah closed. The militant group said the move “constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and a repudiation of the commitments he made to the mediators and guarantor parties,” news agency Reuters reported. Hamas also claimed the closure was blocking equipment entry. This equipment is needed to find the remains of Israeli hostages under the rubble. This delay, they said, slowed the handover process. Meanwhile, Israel said it received two more bodies on Saturday. This brings the total to 12 out of 28, as agreed in the deal. The agreement saw Hamas release 20 living Israeli hostages. In exchange, Israel freed about 2,000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners.
Humanitarian Toll of Rafah Closure
The continued closure of Rafah has worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Famine and mass displacement are still major problems. Aid deliveries increased since the truce, but they remain critically low. The UN World Food Programme was cited in a Reuters report. It stated that only around 560 metric tons of food enter Gaza daily. This is only a fraction of what is needed to ease widespread hunger. Rafah has mostly been shut since May 2024. It has opened only briefly for aid and medical evacuations. The crossing is also key to Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war. This plan includes disarming Hamas and forming an international stabilization force. It also includes steps toward creating a Palestinian state. Disputes over the bodies’ return and aid flow are still unresolved. These issues remain formidable obstacles to lasting peace.
US Warning
The US State Department issued a warning late Saturday, the news agency reported. It received “credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza.” The department added, “Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.” US President Donald Trump brokered the truce deal. He had earlier warned that he might let Israel restart fighting in Gaza. This would happen if Hamas failed to meet its obligations.
Akshay Didwaniya
Pratik Agrawal
Mayur Mohta