In May 2023, Israeli forces reoccupied the Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometre strip along Gaza’s border with Egypt, defying a ceasefire agreement requiring their withdrawal. This move has deepened Rafah’s humanitarian crisis, displacing around 200,000 residents to Khan Yunis’ Mawasi area, where they endure dire conditions without adequate shelter or access to their homes.  

Rafah’s Mayor, Dr. Ahmed al-Sufi, stated that Israeli forces now control 60% of the city, with buffer zones extending up to 2.5 kilometres inward. This has cut off access to vital neighbourhoods and destroyed critical infrastructure, including the Rafah Crossing—Gaza’s sole link to the outside world—and municipal buildings.  

The Philadelphi Corridor has long been a flashpoint, with Israel citing security concerns to justify its presence. However, the ongoing occupation has left Rafah’s population trapped in a cycle of displacement and destruction. Dr. al-Sufi has urged international intervention to enforce the ceasefire and alleviate the suffering of Rafah’s residents, whose future remains uncertain under continued Israeli control.