Rafah lies on Gaza’s southern edge, bordering Egypt. For
years, it has been a point of connection between Gaza and the outside world.
Now, it has turned into the final gathering point for
Palestinians fleeing from relentless Israeli military action in the central and
north areas of Gaza. Its streets and open spaces are filled with makeshift
tents, battered vehicles, and families clutching the few belongings they could carry.
Since October 2023, the flow of displaced people toward
Rafah has been relentless. Israeli bombardments pushed over a million
Palestinians into the city, stretching its resources far beyond capacity.
Rafah was never equipped to handle such numbers. Infrastructure
meant for tens of thousands now carries the burden of hundreds of thousands.
Access to clean water is scarce, medical facilities are
overwhelmed, and electricity is mostly absent.
The Blockade of the Rafah Crossing
The Rafah border crossing into Egypt used to be a lifeline
for Palestinians. It allowed humanitarian supplies to enter and patients to
leave for urgent medical treatment.
Under current Israeli control and oversight, it has become a
bottleneck. Dozens of aid convoys are stopped daily. Reports indicate hundreds
of trucks carrying food, medical supplies, and fuel have been prevented from
entering Gaza, leaving critical needs unmet.
Fuel shortages have paralyzed life in Rafah. Hospitals
cannot run ventilators, bakeries cannot bake bread, and water treatment plants
sit idle.
These shortages force families to make impossible choices
between cooking a small meal or using scarce fuel for heating and light.
Mass Displacement and Evacuation Orders
In March 2025, Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for
Rafah’s residents, instructing them to move to al-Mawasi, a strip of coastal
land declared a safe zone. In reality, the move offered little safety.
Many refused to leave, fearing bombardment on the journey or
permanent displacement. These evacuation orders repeat a cycle many
Palestinians have experienced multiple times: being forced to leave home
without the promise of return.
Each relocation adds new layers of trauma, especially for
children who have already witnessed violence, hunger, and the loss of friends
or family.
The Paramedic Massacre of March 2025:
One of the darkest moments in Rafah’s recent history
occurred on March 23, 2025. Israeli strikes targeted marked ambulances and UN
vehicles in the al Hashashin area, killing 15 Palestinian medics.
This attack not only took lives but also crippled Rafah’s
already struggling health services. Emergency response teams were left without
vehicles, equipment, or staff to respond to calls for help.
For patients in critical condition, the consequences were
immediate and deadly. Without functioning ambulances, families carried injured
loved ones on foot or in carts, hoping to find medical help that was often
unavailable.
Collapse of the Humanitarian Aid System
The blockade and bombardment have fractured Gaza’s
humanitarian aid network. Aid warehouses are unreachable due to road
destruction and military restrictions.
The World Food Programme has reported going more than a week
without accessing its Rafah stores, cutting off thousands from food supplies.
Medical aid has also been halted. Doctors report surgeries
being performed without anesthesia and hospitals lacking antibiotics or sterile
equipment.
Diseases like cholera and hepatitis are reemerging as clean
water supplies run out.
Historical Identity of Rafah Under Threat
Rafah was once a symbol of cultural resilience. Markets
bustled with traders from both sides of the border, mosques stood as centers of
community life, and families shared traditions passed down for generations.
Today, many of these cultural markers are in ruins. Homes
are rubble, community centers are destroyed, and public spaces are
unrecognizable. The city’s identity is being erased alongside its physical
destruction.
International Law and Accountability
The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to
cease its military actions in Rafah, warning that such operations risk acts of
genocide under international law. Yet without enforcement mechanisms, the
ruling has had little effect.
International humanitarian law prohibits targeting civilians
and obstructing aid. Israel’s ongoing blockade and military strikes have been
condemned by multiple UN agencies, but diplomatic pressure has so far failed to
bring lasting relief.
Mental Health Crisis in Rafah
Beyond physical destruction, Rafah faces a mental health
crisis. Displaced families live under constant threat of attack. The sounds of
drones, shelling, and gunfire are a daily reality.
Children show signs of severe psychological trauma,
including night terrors, panic attacks, and loss of speech.
Mental health support is nearly nonexistent. A few volunteer
counselors operate in displacement camps, but their resources are limited, and
the need is overwhelming.
The Burden on Women
Women in Rafah are carrying an extraordinary load. They
manage household survival under impossible conditions, caring for children,
fetching water, and securing whatever food they can find.
Pregnant women face heightened risks, as access to medical
care is limited or absent.
Births often occur in unsafe conditions, without trained
medical staff or sanitary supplies. The maternal and infant mortality rate has
risen sharply, and postpartum care is almost unheard of.
Children and Education in Crisis
Education in Rafah has nearly collapsed. Schools have been
converted into shelters, leaving children without classrooms or teachers.
Makeshift lessons take place in overcrowded tents, with no
textbooks or supplies.
The longer education is disrupted, the more difficult it
becomes for children to regain learning momentum. Aid agencies warn of a
generation growing up without the skills needed for future independence.
Economic Destruction
Before the war, Rafah’s economy relied on small trade,
agriculture, and fishing. Now, with fields inaccessible, markets destroyed, and
fishing banned due to naval control, livelihoods have disappeared.
Families who once supported themselves now depend entirely
on humanitarian aid, which itself is dwindling.
The destruction of economic activity deepens poverty and
makes long-term recovery even more challenging.
The Role of the Palestinian Diaspora
Palestinians abroad have mobilized to support Rafah,
organizing protests, advocacy campaigns, and fundraising drives. While some aid
reaches Gaza, much is blocked at the border.
Despite this, diaspora voices keep international attention
on Rafah and counter narratives that minimize the humanitarian crisis.
International Political Response
Global political reactions have been inconsistent. While
many leaders condemn Israel’s actions, few take concrete steps to enforce
ceasefires or unblock aid.
This gap between rhetoric and action fuels Palestinian
frustration and distrust in international promises.
Rebuilding and Recovery
Recovery for Rafah will require rebuilding infrastructure,
restoring essential services, and supporting the mental and physical health of
its people. This will take years, and without political change, reconstruction
efforts risk being destroyed again.
Immediate Needs Include:
- Opening
Rafah crossing permanently for aid and civilian travel.
- Ensuring
protection for aid workers and medical staff.
- Providing
sustained funding for rebuilding homes, schools, and hospitals.
- Delivering
psychological support programs alongside physical reconstruction.
Why Rafah Matters for Palestine’s Future?
Rafah is more than a border town. It has become a symbol of
endurance under siege, representing the resilience of the Palestinian people in
the face of overwhelming odds. Protecting Rafah means preserving a lifeline for
Gaza’s survival and a foundation for its recovery.
FAQs
Why is Rafah important to Gaza?
It is the only crossing to Egypt and the main route for
humanitarian aid and medical evacuations.
What happened in March 2025 in Rafah?
Israeli strikes killed 15 Palestinian medics, crippling
emergency medical services during a critical period.
How is aid delivery affected?
Blockades prevent trucks carrying food, fuel, and medicine
from entering, causing shortages that affect all aspects of life.
What is the role of the ICJ?
The ICJ ordered Israel to stop military action in Rafah,
citing genocide risk, but the ruling has not been enforced.
Can Rafah recover?
Yes, but it will require massive reconstruction, economic
revival, and lasting protection from further attacks.