The vital Rafah crossing in Gaza remains closed and under Israeli military control, causing severe repercussions for the people in the region. The closure of Rafah, the only gateway for the entry of fuel for trucks and generators, has left at least 46 patients and wounded people stranded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israel now controls all of Gaza’s border crossings for the first time in nearly two decades, leading to concerns about the delivery of humanitarian aid. U.N. agencies and aid groups have been ramping up assistance, but the closure of Rafah poses a significant challenge.
The U.S. recently paused a shipment of bombs to Israel over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on Rafah. President Joe Biden’s administration has been reviewing future transfers of military assistance to Israel amid the escalating situation.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military has finished building a temporary pier and causeway to deliver aid to Gaza, but plans to move it into place are on hold due to weather and logistical challenges. The U.N. warns that critical diesel fuel to pump drinking water and maintain aid operations in Gaza will run out soon, putting the population at risk.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with fuel running out and essential services at risk of being disrupted. The international community is closely monitoring the developments and working to find solutions to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need.