Fuel Crisis Threatens Gaza After Egypt Border Closure
Egypt's decision to close the Rafah crossing amid the recent unrest risks plunging Gaza into a crisis of its own.
Gaza is facing a fuel crisis with serious snowball effects due to Cairo’s decision to close the Rafah crossing and tunnels along the border due to the continued unrest in Egypt. In addition to the coming fuel crisis, thousands of people have been stranded by the border closure, unable to travel to and from Gaza.
Amina al-Arqan was packing when she heard the news about the Rafah crossing’s closure. She was subsequently forced to extend her stay in Gaza. Arqan had been visiting her siblings, and now wants to go back to her family in Egypt.
Arqan told Al-Monitor, “I am so worried about them, especially with the escalation of tensions in Egypt. I wish I were with them amid the crisis. It is better than receiving news from afar.” Arqan, who suffers from diabetes and spondylosis, noted that she may miss her upcoming appointment with her doctor in Egypt.
Maher Abu Sobha, head of the Gaza Border Authority, told Al-Monitor in a phone interview that a real crisis looms after Egyptian authorities decided to close the crossing on July 5. Abu Sobha noted that in a few days, the number of people stuck in Gaza will reach tens of thousands, including college students, medical patients and workers, such as an Algerian medical group and the Kramich band for children, in addition to those on family vacations.
