Rafah invasion raises alarms: Palestinian factions urge global response to humanitarian crisis

The closure of vital crossings and military operations in Rafah are seen as attempts to inflict further suffering on the Palestinian population, leading to calls for immediate international intervention.

Palestinian factions have issued a joint statement strongly condemning the recent invasion of Rafah by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), labeling it as a grave escalation of the conflict and a threat to international law. The destruction of the Rafah crossing and the closure of the Karem Abu Salem crossing have been highlighted as particularly concerning actions that worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

According to the joint statement, the IOF's actions amount to a humanitarian catastrophe affecting 2.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, with a specific emphasis on the plight of over 1.5 million forcibly displaced individuals, including recent victims forced to flee previously "safe" areas. The closure of vital crossings is viewed as a deliberate attempt to sever crucial supply lines for food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid, potentially resulting in the loss of thousands of lives, including vulnerable groups such as the wounded, cancer patients, women, and children.

The Palestinian factions have called for immediate international intervention to prevent further loss of life and address what they describe as the world's largest humanitarian crisis. They emphasize the need for concerted efforts at the international, regional, and grassroots levels to halt the ongoing genocide and hold the Israeli occupation accountable for its actions in international courts.

In a related development, Hamas issued a statement condemning the invasion of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt as a dangerous escalation against a civilian area protected by international law. The move, seen as an attempt to worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by restricting the flow of essential relief aid, raises questions about Israel's commitment to ceasefire efforts and the release of Israeli captives.

Hamas has called for intervention from the US administration and the broader international community, warning of the grave threat posed to the lives of hundreds of thousands of forcibly displaced civilians not only in Rafah but throughout the Gaza Strip. The escalation underscores the urgent need for action to prevent further suffering and loss of life in the region. (ILKHA)