Netanyahu Blocks Rafah Crossing, Violating Ceasefire and Stranding Thousands of Palestinians Abroad

Gaza (QNN)- The Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announced that the Rafah crossing would reopen on Monday, October 20, to allow Palestinians stranded in Egypt to return to Gaza. The embassy said the crossing would operate under the regular coordination mechanism used for travel between Egypt and Gaza.

But just one hour later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes in Gaza, ordered the crossing to remain closed until further notice, in a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.

In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said the reopening of Rafah would depend on “how Hamas fulfills its part in returning the hostages and implementing the agreed framework.” Meanwhile, Israel continues to prevent equipment needed for search operations from entry.

Netanyahu’s decision effectively blocks thousands of Palestinians, including patients and students, from returning home.

Hamas resistance movement condemned Netanyahu’s order, calling it “a blatant breach of the ceasefire terms and a denial of Israel’s commitments to mediators and guarantor states.”

Hamas warned that keeping Rafah closed will worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The closure, the group said, prevents the evacuation of wounded civilians, halts the entry of medical equipment and rescue tools, and delays the recovery and identification of bodies still trapped under the rubble.

The statement added that Israel has committed more than 47 documented ceasefire violations since the truce began. These attacks have killed 38 Palestinians and injured at least 143 others.

“The occupation continues its aggression and blockade against more than two million Palestinians in Gaza,” the movement said. “War criminal Netanyahu is fabricating false excuses to obstruct the agreement and evade his obligations.”

Hamas called on mediators and guarantor countries to intervene immediately and pressure Israel to reopen the Rafah crossing and fully comply with the ceasefire terms.

The closure comes as Gaza’s humanitarian situation remains catastrophic, with hospitals struggling to operate and thousands of displaced families waiting for aid and medical evacuation.