"As months passed, closure ceased to be a temporary security measure and instead became a daily reality that has redefined survival itself for Palestinians. A patient in need of medical treatment abroad, a student awaiting an opportunity to study, a family separated across borders, or a wounded war victim on an evacuation list all ultimately confront the same barrier: Israeli-controlled land crossings."
"At the centre of this system stands the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, long viewed as Gaza's only outlet to the outside world not directly governed by Israel. In practice, however, Rafah became part of the same control regime. On May 7, 2024, Israel announced it had taken operational control of the Palestinian side of the crossing, effectively shutting down a vital lifeline for humanitarian aid and medical evacuations."
Freedom of movement is a fundamental right under international humanitarian law, inseparable from the rights to life, food and education. In Gaza, freedom of movement has been converted into a tool of control and collective punishment through road closures, permits and guarded land crossings. During the October 2023 war, control over gateways became entrenched, determining who may exit or enter and what goods may pass. Closure practices have turned crossings into daily survival barriers for patients, students, separated families and wounded evacuees. The Rafah crossing was operationally taken over on May 7, 2024, disrupting aid and evacuations and transforming the crossing into an instrument of collective regulation.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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