Rafah

Rafah is a city in the southern Gaza Strip and the location of a crucial border crossing with Egypt. This crossing is newsworthy due to its imminent reopening after nearly two years of closure, albeit with "limited movement of people" and tight Israeli security control. This reopening is occurring amidst ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, including air strikes targeting what the IDF claims are Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives and weapons facilities, following alleged ceasefire violations by Palestinian groups. Hospitals in Gaza report numerous Palestinian casualties, including women and children, from these strikes. Despite the planned reopening of the Rafah crossing, humanitarian aid remains blocked. The events highlight the fragile ceasefire and the continued conflict in the region, raising concerns about humanitarian access and the overall safety and well-being of the Gazan population.