[News] 'Criminal Act' - Israeli Army Burns Rafah Departure Hall, Severing Gaza’s Connection to World

[Anti-Imperialist News]

palestinechronicle.com
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/criminal-act-israeli-army-burns-rafah-departure-hall-severing-gazas-connection-to-world/>
'Criminal Act' - Israeli Army Burns Rafah Departure Hall, Severing Gaza’s
Connection to World June 17, 2024
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/2024/06/>
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The Israeli army burned down the departure hall on the Palestinian side of
the Rafah crossing. (Photo: via Younis Tirawi, Twitter)

*By Palestine Chronicle Staff
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/writers/palestine-chronicle-staff>*

This incident coincides with ongoing incursions by Israeli military
vehicles into Rafah’s Philadelphi Corridor.

The Israeli army burned down on Monday the departure hall on the
Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, effectively severing Gaza’s
connection to the outside world.

This act follows the Israeli army’s seizure of the Rafah crossing 40 days
ago.

The departure hall, along with other facilities and buildings, was set on
fire, cutting off communication for Palestinians in Gaza.

Several Palestinian social media accounts shared images showing the
departure hall completely engulfed in flames.

This incident coincides with ongoing incursions by Israeli military
vehicles into Rafah’s Philadelphi Corridor, a demilitarized buffer zone
along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
*‘Criminal Act’*

The Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas condemned the burning of the
departure hall, labeling it a “criminal act and brutal behavior” that
underscores what they describe as Israel’s “genocide in Gaza.”

In a statement, Hamas called for international condemnation and action,
stating that Israel “bears the consequences of this crime, which resulted
in cutting off Palestinians’ communication with the outside world.”

“This Nazi behavior, which is a clear war crime, requires widespread
international condemnation and taking the necessary measures to hold the
occupation leaders accountable,” the statement said.

The group urged the international community to reopen the Rafah crossing,
facilitate travel, and ensure the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

“This requires effective international action to open the crossing and
facilitate travel for our citizens, and facilitate the entry of emergency
food and relief aid into the Strip that is deliberately subjected to a
zionist war of starvation.”
*Ongoing Genocide*

Currently on trial before the International Court of Justice for genocide
against Palestinians, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza
since October 7.

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, 37,347 Palestinians have been
killed, and 85,372 wounded in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza starting on
October 7.

Moreover, at least 7,000 people are unaccounted for, presumed dead under
the rubble of their homes throughout the Strip.

Palestinian and international organizations say that the majority of those
killed and wounded are women and children.

The Israeli war has resulted in an acute famine, mostly in northern Gaza,
resulting in the death of many Palestinians, mostly children.

 The Israeli aggression has also resulted in the forceful displacement of
nearly two million people from all over the Gaza Strip, with the vast
majority of the displaced forced into the densely crowded southern city of
Rafah near the border with Egypt – in what has become Palestine’s largest
mass exodus since the 1948 Nakba.

Israel says that 1,200 soldiers and civilians were killed during the
Al-Aqsa Flood Operation on October 7. Israeli media published reports
suggesting that many Israelis were killed on that day by ‘friendly fire’.

*(PC, Anadolu)*
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