Israeli Army Burns Rafah Crossing's Departure Hall

On Monday, the Israeli army burned down the departure hall on the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, making it inoperable, according to Palestinian security sources. Video clips shared by Palestinian activists on Facebook depicted the departure lounge and other facilities at the crossing completely burnt.

In response, Hamas described the burning of the departure building and other facilities inside Rafah crossing as a "criminal act and barbaric behavior within the framework of a continuing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza."

They also considered this behavior a "clear war crime, warranting broad international condemnation."

Meanwhile, Fatah official Munther Al-Hayek condemned the Israeli army's actions in a statement, stating that "the burning of the reception and departure building at Rafah crossing is clear evidence of the occupation's intention to isolate the sector from the outside world and maintain full security control over it."

Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in response to a Hamas incursion into the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023. During the incident, approximately 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.

It's worth mentioning that the Palestinian side of the crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been under Israeli control since May 7.