Israeli offensive on Rafah throttles essential lifeline for Gaza

The Rafah border crossing has been closed since it was seized by Israeli forces on May 7, and critical supplies including fuel are running low. What is the impact of the lack of fuel in Rafah? 

The lack of fuel will have critical consequences on our operations. All the limited quantities of fuel that had been imported daily was automatically distributed and used, with very limited ability  to build up a stock for the next few weeks. 

Hospitals only have a few days’ worth of stock, according to the World Health Organization. Necessities like hospitals, bakeries, phone networks, and banks rely on generators, which require fuel. Ambulances are also directly affected, and convoys north have been paused due to the lack of fuel. 

MSF teams had to reduce the water trucking distribution system because truck owners cannot move their trucks. The water desalination plants are producing water in minimum quantities to ensure that the plants can keep working; if they stop operation they will not be able resume properly after that. 

Movements of our staff and visits to the health facilities have been reduced to essential movements, because the lack of fuel is putting us in a very critical situation. We have heard testimonies of people in Rafah who are starting to run out of food, water, and essential items. 

Israel, under its responsibilities as an occupying force, must either provide electricity or ensure that fuel is available in sufficient quantities, which means the opening of border points.  

What is the situation for MSF staff? Can they enter or exit Gaza?

Our staff are not able to enter or exit Gaza at this time. We are working with colleagues inside Gaza, but we don’t have the capacity to turn over and rotate our teams. This will soon create a lack of capacities and proper response from our medical teams to the patients and to a population with only increasing needs. 

Is any aid entering Gaza?

The Rafah crossing remains closed after its seizure, and although Israeli authorities have announced the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing, no aid has entered the south of Gaza. The Erez crossing in the north of the Gaza Strip is open, and supplies entering through there remain in the north, where they are desperately needed. 

In the last three days, virtually no aid has entered Gaza, at a time when humanitarian needs are huge. There was an average of 500 trucks a day crossing through Rafah before the war, 40 trucks per day since the beginning of the war, and that number has now dropped to zero. Currently, 1,700 trucks are blocked, lined up in Al Arish, Egypt, waiting to cross.