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The Rafah port fell silent again. On the morning of October 15, it was supposed to be delivered Humanitarian materialsConvoys entering Gaza gathered on the Egyptian side, but were told to delay their passage. No explanation, no warning, just a "suspension of opening".
Hundreds of trucks were parked on the scorching sand, with flour, antibiotics, diesel and water purification tablets in the sun all day, while on the other side of the Gaza Strip, hospitals were cut off, bakeries were stalled, wounded people were waiting and babies were waiting.
Hamas’s response was almost immediate.At noon, the group issued a statement accusing Israel of “deliberate delay,” calling it a “systematic humanitarian punishment.”
Their wording is not new, but this time, the situation in Gaza is more tense than ever before. There is only enough fuel for 72 hours, and all the seriously injured patients cannot be transferred。 HamasThis is not a consequence of war, but a “precise-designed blockade.”
Israel has not responded positively.A military spokesman said only that “the opening of the Rafah port must take place under the premise of ensuring security”.This phrase has almost become a standard template and has been repeated over the past year. And this definition of “security” is determining the rhythm of hundreds of thousands of deaths.
This is not the first time. Since the escalation of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, The Rafah Port has only a handful of times openedEvery time it is full of variables, and every time the humanitarian aid organization exhausts its patience. United NationsSpokesperson Stefan DujarricNot long ago he publicly stated, “Without a stable passage, there is no way to talk about humanitarian aid.”
This blockade did not start suddenly. The Rafah port is legally controlled by Egypt, but in practice, Israel has substantial control over passage order。 Any entry and exit of materials and personnel must be approved by Israel. Since Israeli ground forces briefly entered eastern Rafah in May, The Israeli army has almost complete control of all passage points on the Gaza side of the crossing。
The Egyptian government’s position is more subtle: on the one hand, they have expressed “deep concern” about the situation of civilians in Gaza, and on the other hand, in consideration of security and border controls on the Sinai Peninsula. IsraelCoordinate the passage program, but the result of coordination is often “delayed” or “reconsidered”. The reality is that the gates of Rafah have been welded to death by greater political logic.
Hamas’s anger is not easy to understand.The group has seen Rafah as a “line of life” from the outset, and they know that if the gate is open, even if the other borders are completely closed, Gaza will not collapse immediately.
But now, this "lifeline" is no longer reliable. Especially in the past three months, Hamas and Israel have attempted, in several rounds of negotiations, to reach an agreement on the opening of ports through intermediaries, but almost entirely unsuccessfully.
The international community is not an observer.Diplomats from the United Nations, the Red Cross, the European Union, and many countries in the Middle East have repeatedly called on Israel to "at least allow the passage of humanitarian supplies."
The U.S. State Department also said at the beginning of this month that "it is necessary to ensure that Rafah Border Crossing has the function of humanitarian access."But so far, these calls have not turned into substantial pressure, and every time the international community “insists,” Israel “evaluates” and silences after the assessment.
This led Hamas to point more fingers at Egypt.Especially after a key meeting in September, a Hamas spokesman openly said that “Egypt has an obligation to ensure the port works properly and should not compromise under Israeli pressure.”
This statement has sparked controversy in the Arab world and has been commented that, Hamas’ move could affect its already fragile basis of cooperation with EgyptFrom the perspective of Gaza, What is the point of cooperation, what is the point of cooperation?
A reality that cannot be overlooked is: The medical system in Gaza is systematically collapsing.According to data from the World Health Organization, Early OctoberOnly four hospitals in Gaza remain in emergency operations, and fuel stocks are estimated to be exhausted in less than 72 hours.
More than 1200 critically ill patients are waiting to be evacuated, and more than 2000 pregnant women are in urgent need of surgical resources.And all this is being cut off by a decision to "postpone opening".
“We’re not talking about political agreements, we’re talking about who can survive.”The words of a Gazan doctor in an interview with the Peninsula TV channel were transmitted by countless volunteers. She said it was no longer a blockade, but a “precision-designed deadly state.”
Amid this standoff, China’s position is very clear.As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly publicly called for respect for international humanitarian law, stressing that the port of Lafa should be opened immediately to ensure that humanitarian assistance is unhindered.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesmanAt the October press conference he said: Any act of obstructing humanitarian relief under the pretext of security should be jointly condemned by the international community.China's permanent delegation to the United Nations has also repeatedly urged all parties to ensure the security of civilians, open passages, and stop attacks on civilian infrastructure.
In terms of aid, China has also continued to increase its humanitarian support to Gaza. In September only, China has provided a new round of emergency medical assistance to Gaza through the Red Cross Society, covering antibiotics, surgical equipment, baby milk powder and water purification equipment, and called on the international community to join forces to truly establish a Stable, continuous and non-selective humanitarian transport mechanisms。
The problem is that this mechanism has not emerged for a long time. Every time supplies are stuck at the border and every time the port gate is not opened, it further weakens the sense of trust in the region. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released a report earlier this month.“If Rafah fails to restore the stability of the passage, the entire humanitarian system in Gaza will collapse completely within weeks.”
This is not alarmist. Reality is already approaching that critical point step by step.
And in this long wait, the most anxious is not the diplomat.Not a negotiator. But those mothers holding oxygen bottles at the door of the Gaza hospital, and those children waiting in the ruins.
They don’t care about “safety assessment,” they don’t understand the “negotiation window,” they only know that the fleet hasn’t come yet, the electricity hasn’t come yet, the doctors say, “Two hours later, maybe it’s not possible.”
The question now is no longer "when will Rafah Border Crossing open", but- What else can the world do for this door?
This door has been closed for too long.
It’s not an exit to political compromise, it’s just a drop of water, a bowl of milk powder, a needle of pain.
But for now, it is still closed.
Who will really knock on the door next time?
Source: United Nations OCHA-Rapha port transit status updated
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