The Israeli army announced today, Tuesday, that it has completely taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing, which separates the Gaza Strip from Egyptian territory, in a military operation that began yesterday. The army stated that the operation aims to eliminate Hamas militants and dismantle the infrastructure of the Palestinian movement in specific areas of eastern Rafah.
In a video, the Israeli 401st Armored Brigade, known as the "Steel Path," was identified as the main force that entered the Rafah border crossing.
The Israeli army said, "Currently, we have special forces surveying the crossing. We have control over the area and other crossings, and our special forces are conducting surveys in the region." They clarified, "This is only about the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing." The army added that forces are operating in a specific area in eastern Rafah and that the vast majority of the population in the military operation area has been evacuated.
The Israeli army also confirmed that the Kerem Shalom crossing was closed for security reasons and would be reopened when the security situation allows. According to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, the Israeli army killed 20 militants and discovered three tunnels in the area under control, as well as destroying a car bomb heading towards a tank. The authority reported that the Israeli army closed the Rafah crossing and prevented operations there, coinciding with attacks on what they described as Hamas targets in the city of Rafah.
On the previous day, the Israeli army requested individuals in areas of eastern Rafah to evacuate to Khan Younis before beginning its military operation. Army spokesperson Avichai Adrei warned displaced persons against returning north or approaching the eastern and southern security fence, reiterating that the city of Gaza remains a "dangerous combat zone."
According to the Israeli army statement, its forces have taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, located on the border with Egypt in southern Gaza. The army's statement indicated: "The 401st Brigade has achieved operational control over the Rafah crossing from the Gaza side and has cut off the crossing from the Salah al-Din axis, and now the 401st armored forces fully control the crossing. Simultaneously, the Givati Brigade controls the crossing and the Salah al-Din axis."
The statement continued: "Tonight's attack on Rafah, led by the 162nd Division alongside the 401st Brigade, Givati Brigade, and special units, launched an assault on the eastern area of Rafah. At the same time, the Southern Command launched attacks on dozens of Hamas targets in the Rafah area, striking around 100 targets overnight."
Prior to this, the Gazan crossings authority announced that the Israeli army had stormed the Rafah crossing, and images of the Israeli flag being raised on the Palestinian side of the crossing were circulated.
Palestinian media reported that the crossings authority in Gaza announced halting passenger movement. A spokesperson from the crossings authority explained that the reason for closing the Rafah crossing is the presence of Israeli tanks inside the crossing.
Palestinian medical sources reported the "martyrdom of 20 individuals as a result of Israeli airstrikes targeting homes in Rafah, southern Gaza, early today."
Earlier, the crossings authority stated that the Israeli army stormed the Rafah crossing and that images of the Israeli flag being raised had been circulated. Shortly before that, Palestinian media reported the authority's announcement to suspend the movement of travelers and the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip completely. There were no additional details provided by television.
Sources familiar with the matter had stated to Axios that the Israeli army intends to seize control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing. The site quoted a source saying that Israel believes controlling the land crossing with Egypt will end Hamas's ability to demonstrate that it still governs the Gaza Strip.
A humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in Rafah, with families displaced after a night of terror under bombardment. Meanwhile, Egyptian media published images of the Rafah crossing from the Egyptian side, where sounds of clashes were heard inside the Gaza Strip, while hundreds were displaced from eastern Rafah to western Gaza.
