ISRAEL reopens the Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt on a trial basis after nearly two years as thousands of sick and wounded Palestinians seek urgent medical care abroad.
In one of the bloodiest days since an October “ceasefire” took hold, at least 31 Palestinians – including six children – have been killed in multiple Israeli air raids on northern and southern Gaza.
Israeli forces have now killed at least 509 Palestinians and wounded 1,405 others since the start of the “ceasefire”.
Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 71,769 people and wounded 171,483 since it began in October 2023. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led, October 7, 2023 attacks, with about 250 taken captive.
Israel’s delay in opening the Rafah border for sick and wounded Palestinians to receive life-saving medical treatment until Monday exemplifies its desire to show its in complete control over Gaza, an analyst says.
“When I see what’s going on I can only think of the history of colonialism, and control is absolutely central to colonialism,” said Mohamad Elmasry, a professor with the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
“We see the Israelis over and over again reminding the Palestinians first and then all of us by extension that they are in control. I think the violence we saw yesterday was a part of that, and I think these very extreme and absurd measures that they’re taking at the Rafah border crossing is further evidence that Israel wants to demonstrate control.”
Israel announced the movement of Palestinians will not start until a “test phase” of security screenings is carried out yesterday.
