Watan-A responsible source at the Crossings and Borders Authority in Gaza has denied the news circulating through media outlets and social media platforms regarding what was alleged to be an infiltration of the Rafah Crossing from the Palestinian side.
More than a million Palestinians live in Rafah on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip, bordering Egypt. Many of them reside in camps and temporary shelters after fleeing Israeli bombardment in other areas of the strip.
Activists on social media circulated a video clip purportedly documenting Palestinians storming the Rafah Crossing.
The alleged video clip, as observed by “Watan,” showed dozens of individuals running inside and outside the crossing, while fires and smoke were seen emanating from one of the crossing towers.
The Reality of the Rafah Crossing Infiltration: Local media outlets quoted an unnamed Egyptian official on Friday, clarifying that the reports circulating through media outlets and social media regarding this matter are unfounded.
مصدر مسؤول بهيئة المعابر والحدود في #غزة:
لا صحة لما يتم تداوله عبر وسائل الإعلام ومنصات التواصل الاجتماعي بشأن اقتحام #معبر_رفح من الجانب الفلسطيني. pic.twitter.com/AGpvEs6S3g— اتحاد قبائل سيناء (@SinaiTribes) February 16, 2024
He pointed out that a group of displaced citizens near the land crossing from the Palestinian side set car tires on fire in front of the main gate of the crossing.
Palestinian Police Intervention: The source, according to “Al-Yawm Al-Sabea,” added that these events occurred east of Rafah in southern Gaza, noting that some of the displaced individuals opened the crossing gate and attacked aid trucks. This necessitated sending patrols affiliated with the Palestinian police to secure the entry of aid and to control the field situation and secure the aid trucks.
According to The New York Times, Egyptian officials fear that the influx of refugees poses a security risk, and many Palestinians fear that Israel may not allow those who leave Gaza to return after the war ends.
In recent weeks, displaced residents of Gaza have been congregating in Rafah, on the border with Egypt, struggling to survive in tents and temporary shelters with difficulty obtaining food and other essential supplies, as relief workers told the American newspaper.