Martyr and injuries in night raids on Gaza and an Israeli decision to close the Rafah crossing

A Palestinian citizen was martyred and several others sustained varying injuries early Monday morning, as a result of aerial raids carried out by Israeli occupation aircraft on various areas in the Gaza Strip. Field sources reported that the shelling targeted the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central region, leading to the martyrdom of one person and one injury, while at least three citizens were injured in another targeting of the western area of Gaza City.

These field developments come amidst continued Israeli violations of the theoretically ongoing ceasefire agreement, as occupation forces continue to carry out daily shelling and shooting operations. According to official data, these continuous breaches have resulted in casualties almost constantly, undermining efforts to stabilize the calm in the afflicted Strip.

In a related context, the government media office in Gaza revealed shocking statistics related to Israeli violations, indicating that approximately 2,400 violations have been monitored since the agreement came into effect last October 10th. The office clarified that these violations were not limited to military operations only, but also included policies of direct killing, arbitrary arrests, tightening the siege, and using starvation as a pressure tool.

Regarding human casualties, the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced an increase in the number of martyrs since the ceasefire was declared in October to 776 martyrs, in addition to 2,171 injured. These figures reflect the extent of the continuous escalation despite international understandings, as the Israeli war machine continues to claim the lives of civilians in various governorates of the Strip.

Considering the total toll since the outbreak of the war on October 7th, medical records have registered the martyrdom of 72,552 citizens and the injury of 172,274 others. This data confirms the scale of the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe experienced by the residents of the Strip, amidst systematic destruction of infrastructure and a health system that has become unable to cope with this massive number of victims.

On another note, the Palestinian Crossings and Borders Authority announced that the occupation authorities decided to completely close the Rafah land crossing south of the Strip starting today, Monday. This decision will result in a complete halt to the movement of evacuating wounded and sick people who need surgical operations and specialized treatments not available inside Gaza, putting their lives at imminent risk.

Occupation authorities did not provide any clear justifications for closing the crossing, which is the only remaining lifeline for the residents of the Strip to the outside world, nor was there any official comment from the Israeli side. This closure is a repetition of the policy of collective punishment, as the crossing has previously been closed for long weeks, exacerbating the suffering of thousands of urgent humanitarian cases.

Regarding the health situation, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Raed Al-Nims, stated that more than 18,000 patients and injured people are still waiting for their turn for urgent medical evacuation. He pointed out that the strict restrictions imposed by the occupation since the partial reopening of the crossing last February have only allowed about 700 patients to leave, which is a very small number compared to actual needs.

In addition, returnees to the Gaza Strip conveyed painful testimonies about being subjected to abuse and detention by occupation forces present at the crossing, where travelers undergo harsh interrogations lasting for long hours. It was supposed, according to the terms of the ceasefire agreement, that the crossing would be opened normally and the movement of individuals and goods facilitated, but Israel has reneged on these commitments since day one.

Israel committed 2,400 violations of the ceasefire agreement in the Strip during half a year of its implementation, including killing, arrest, siege, and starvation.