Israeli Troops Take Control of Rafah Crossing in Gaza, Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

Rafah, Gaza Strip Palestine, State of
Closure of Rafah crossing worsened humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leaving at least 2.4 million Palestinians facing critical shortage of food and aid
Egypt has refused to reopen its side of the crossing due to Israeli control
International condemnation from organizations and humanitarian agencies over aid shortages in Gaza
Israeli authorities announced recovery of several hostages during military operations
Israeli military operations in northern Gaza Strip districts resulted in civilian casualties, at least 35,000 Palestinians killed since conflict began on October 7
Israeli troops took control of Rafah crossing in Gaza two weeks ago
Rafah crossing was previously controlled by Hamas and used for tax collection on goods
Israeli Troops Take Control of Rafah Crossing in Gaza, Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

In recent days, Israeli forces have taken control of key points in the Gaza Strip, including the Rafah crossing. This move has caused uncertainty and concern for both Palestinians and international organizations. According to reports, Israeli troops took over the Rafah crossing two weeks ago, which was previously controlled by Hamas. The Palestinian militant group had been collecting taxes on goods passing through the border point before its takeover by Israel.

The closure of Rafah crossing has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. With repeated warnings of a looming famine, at least 2.4 million Palestinians are facing a critical shortage of food and aid. Egypt has refused to reopen its side of the crossing as long as Israeli troops control the Palestinian side, leaving one of the only points for aid delivery inaccessible.

The impasse has resulted in widespread condemnation from international organizations and humanitarian agencies. The United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, issued an apocalyptic warning over the potential consequences of the aid shortages in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have continued their military operations in northern Gaza Strip districts. Troops and tanks pushed into new areas on Saturday, resulting in clashes with armed groups and civilian casualties. At least 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began on October 7.

Despite these developments, Israeli authorities have announced the recovery of several hostages whose repatriation was previously announced. The bodies of Ron Binyamin and others were reportedly found during military operations in Gaza.

The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, leaving many wondering what the future holds for the people of Gaza.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Are there any alternative points for aid delivery in Gaza?
  • Is the number of Palestinian casualties accurate?

Sources

76%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

UN humanitarian chief delivers ‘apocalyptic’ warning over Gaza aid

theguardian.com Article URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/13/ pakistan-·coalition-·agrees-to-form-government Lorenzo Tondo Sunday, 19 May 2024 16:17
  • Unique Points
    • Israel's military offensive in Rafah has blocked desperately needed food and aid from reaching the people in Gaza.
    • Aid agencies have repeatedly said their operations are regularly hampered by Israeli authorities.
  • Accuracy
    • Israeli tanks and warplanes continued to bombard parts of Rafah over the weekend, resulting in multiple civilian casualties.
    • About 100 aid trucks entered daily via Rafah before takeover, as well as most of the crucial fuel supply.
  • Deception (30%)
    The author uses the term 'apocalyptic' to describe the consequences of aid shortages in Gaza, which is an example of emotional manipulation and sensationalism. The author also states that 'aid getting in through land routes to the south and for Rafah, and the people dislodged by Rafah is almost nil,' which is a selective reporting of information. The article does not disclose any sources.
    • The United Nations’ humanitarian chief has warned of ‘apocalyptic’ consequences due to aid shortages in Gaza,
    • aid getting in through land routes to the south and for Rafah, and the people dislodged by Rafah is almost nil,
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. The author does not clearly distinguish between the UN humanitarian chief's statements and their own reporting, which can create a misleading impression for the reader. Additionally, there are examples of inflammatory language used throughout the article.
    • . . .Israel's military offensive in the southern city of Rafah has blocked desperately needed food.
    • The consequences due to aid shortages in Gaza . . . will be really, really hard. Hard, difficult, and apocalyptic.
    • With key land crossings closed, some relief supplies began flowing in this week via a temporary floating pier constructed by the US. Griffiths said the maritime operation was beginning to bring in truckloads of aid, but he cautioned: 'It's not a replacement for the land routes.'
    • An Israeli airstrike on Sunday killed 20 people in central Gaza, mostly women and children.
    • The Guardian could not independently verify the claims.
  • Bias (90%)
    The author uses the word 'apocalyptic' to describe the consequences of aid shortages in Gaza, which could be seen as an exaggeration and a biased way to frame the situation. The author also mentions that Israeli forces are 'besieging al-Awda hospital in Jabaliya' without providing any context or counterpoint, which could be seen as a biased representation of the situation.
    • Netanyahu is also facing internal divisions in his government. On Saturday, the war cabinet minister, Benny Gantz, threatened to resign if Netanyahu failed to adopt an agreed plan for Gaza,
      • rescuers had recovered at least 150 bodies, more than half of them women and children, since Israel launched the operation in Jabaliya last week. He said about 300 homes had been completely destroyed.
        • The situation is very difficult,” said Abdel-Kareem Radwan, a 48-year-old in Jabaliya. He said the whole eastern side of the city had become a battle zone where the Israeli fighter jets ‘strike anything that moves’.
          • The United Nations’ humanitarian chief has warned of ‘apocalyptic’ consequences due to aid shortages in Gaza,
            • Within Israel, anti-government protesters held a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday night calling for the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to resign.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            83%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            Israel took over key Gaza crossing. What next?

            Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Chloe Rouveyrolles-Bazire Monday, 20 May 2024 10:32
            • Unique Points
              • Israeli troops took control of the Rafah crossing in Gaza two weeks ago
              • Hamas collected taxes on goods passing through Rafah before Israeli takeover
            • Accuracy
              • The closure of Rafah crossing worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with warnings of a looming famine for 2.4 million people
            • Deception (70%)
              The article contains selective reporting as it only mentions the number of aid trucks that entered Gaza through Rafah crossing before the Israeli takeover, but does not mention the significant amount of fuel that also entered through this crossing. This information is important in understanding the humanitarian impact of the closure of Rafah crossing. Additionally, there are instances of emotional manipulation as it describes 'a looming famine' and 'dire humanitarian catastrophe' for Gaza's population.
              • The impasse has worsened an already dire humanitarian catastrophe for the Palestinian territory’s 2.4 million people, with repeated warnings of a looming famine more than seven months into the Israel-Hamas war.
              • But early on May 7 the Israeli army completed a swift takeover of the crossing, which it said was being ‘used for terrorist purposes’. It has since been closed, severely limiting the volume of aid that has made it into Gaza.
            • Fallacies (90%)
              The article contains several informal fallacies and a potential appeal to authority. The author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the situation in Gaza as a 'dire humanitarian catastrophe' and 'looming famine.' She also states that Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, but does not provide any evidence or context for this claim. Additionally, she quotes an anonymous European official stating that the EU would refuse to take part in operating the Rafah crossing unless the PA is involved. This could be seen as an appeal to authority if it is implied that the EU's decision carries more weight due to their status as a European organization.
              • ]The impasse has worsened an already dire humanitarian catastrophe for the Palestinian territory’s 2.4 million people, with repeated warnings of a looming famine more than seven months into the Israel-Hamas war.[
              • Since the start of the war, sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, most aid deliveries into Gaza have passed through Rafah.
              • An agreement largely steered by Washington had put PA agents in charge but guaranteed Israel the right of supervision. European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) gendarmes were also present at the crossing under the 2005 agreement.
            • Bias (95%)
              The author uses language that depicts the Israeli takeover of the Rafah crossing as a thorn in Israel's side and a humanitarian catastrophe for the Palestinians. She also implies that Israel is responsible for limiting aid to Gaza by closing the crossing. The author does not provide any counter-arguments or evidence to challenge these assertions, which demonstrates a clear bias against Israel.
              • She also implies that Israel is responsible for limiting aid to Gaza by closing the crossing.
                • The impasse has worsened an already dire humanitarian catastrophe for the Palestinian territory’s 2.4 million people, with repeated warnings of a looming famine more than seven months into the Israel-Hamas war.
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                74%

                The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                UN says 800,000 people have fled Rafah as Israel kills dozens in Gaza

                Al Jazeera Media Network Al Jazeera Monday, 20 May 2024 10:33
                • Unique Points
                  • Nearly 800,000 Palestinians have been displaced from Rafah since the Israeli offensive began.
                  • Israel seized the Rafah crossing linking Gaza to Egypt on May 7, trapping thousands of sick and injured Palestinians who may have had a chance to leave for treatment abroad.
                  • Hamas’ military wing claimed several attacks against Israeli forces, including targeting military vehicles with rocket propelled grenades and killing 20 Israeli soldiers.
                  • Israel announced the recovery of remains of Israeli captive Ron Binyamin from Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel.
                • Accuracy
                  • At least 83 Palestinians had been killed over the previous 24 hours.
                  • Rafah was home to 1.5 million people before the assault began, most of whom had been displaced from other parts of Gaza.
                  • Israeli tanks and warplanes continued to bombard parts of Rafah over the weekend, resulting in multiple civilian casualties.
                  • Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed 20 people in central Gaza, mostly women and children, while a separate strike resulted in five more deaths.
                • Deception (5%)
                  The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of Israel displacing Palestinians in Rafah. It also uses emotional manipulation by describing the plight of Palestinians being forced to flee multiple times and start from scratch every time. The article does not disclose any sources.
                  • Nearly 800,000 Palestinians have been displaced from Rafah since Israel launched its offensive against the southern Gaza city last week, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has said.
                  • Every time, they are forced to leave behind the few belongings they have: mattresses, tents, cooking utensils and basic supplies that they cannot carry or pay to transport. Every time, they have to start from scratch, all over again.
                  • Israel has faced international warnings... But the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be ignoring those calls and proceeding with the assault.
                • Fallacies (85%)
                  The author makes an appeal to authority when quoting Philippe Lazzarini's statements about the displacement of Palestinians and the lack of safety for them. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing Israel's actions as 'assault,' 'invasion,' and 'killing dozens.' However, no formal or dichotomous fallacies were found.
                  • ]The violence throughout the territory underscores humanitarian advocates[ warnings that there is nowhere safe for people in Rafah to flee to.[] Israel has faced international warnings, including by its top ally the United States, against invading Rafah. But the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be ignoring those calls and proceeding with the assault.[
                  • For its part, the Israeli military announced that it recovered the remains of Israeli captive Ron Binyamin, whom it said was killed during Hamas[ October 7 attack on southern Israel.[] The Qassam Brigades, Hamas[ military wing, claimed several attacks against Israeli forces, including targeting military vehicles with rocket propelled grenades in Rafah and Jabalia. The group also said it killed 20 Israeli soldiers in two separate operations in Rafah.
                • Bias (95%)
                  The article uses language that depicts Israel as the aggressor and Hamas as the victims. The author does not provide any context or information about why Israel launched its offensive against Rafah or what provoked Hamas' attacks against Israeli troops. The article also quotes UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini decrying the repeated displacement of Palestinians and describing their plight in emotional terms, which could be seen as biased towards the Palestinian perspective.
                  • Israel said it recovered remains of one captive while Hamas claims several attacks against Israeli troops across Gaza
                    • Nearly 800,000 Palestinians have been displaced from Rafah since Israel launched its offensive against the southern Gaza city last week
                      • Netanyahu has portrayed Rafah as the last Hamas stronghold in the territory. But as the Israeli army invades the city, fighting is raging in Jabalia and the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City in the north of the enclave.
                        • People are forced to leave behind the few belongings they have: mattresses, tents, cooking utensils and basic supplies that they cannot carry or pay to transport. Every time, they have to start from scratch, all over again.
                          • The violence throughout the territory underscores humanitarian advocates' warnings that there is nowhere safe for people in Rafah to flee to.
                          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication
                          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication

                          76%

                          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                          Israel recovers another slain hostage; pushes into new parts of northern Gaza

                          NBC News Digital Monday, 20 May 2024 10:34
                          • Unique Points
                            • Israeli troops and tanks pushed into parts of northern Gaza Strip district on Saturday, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians.
                            • The Israeli military announced the recovery of Ron Binyamin’s body along with those of three other hostages whose repatriation was previously announced.
                            • Armed wings of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah attacked Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets, mortar bombs, and explosive devices.
                            • At least 35,386 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since Oct. 7.
                          • Accuracy
                            • Israeli military continues to operate in areas across the Gaza Strip including Jabalia and Rafah, carrying out precise operations against terrorists and infrastructure.
                          • Deception (30%)
                            The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of Israeli forces taking over new parts of northern Gaza and killing and wounding Palestinians. It does not report on any potential Palestinian actions or casualties that may have occurred prior to the Israeli military actions. The article also uses emotional manipulation by describing the situation as 'the most difficult in terms of the occupation bombardment, air strikes and tank shelling have going on almost non-stop' for a resident in Jabalia.
                            • The Israeli military said its forces have continued to operate in areas across the Gaza Strip including Jabalia and Rafah, carrying out what it called ‘precise operations against terrorists and infrastructure’.
                            • Israeli troops and tanks pushed on Saturday into parts of a congested northern Gaza Strip district that they had previously skirted in the more than seven-month-old war, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians, medics and residents said.
                            • In what Israeli media said was the result of intelligence gleaned during the latest incursions, the military announced the recovery of the body of a man who was among more than 250 hostages seized by Hamas in a cross-border rampage on Oct. 7 that triggered the war.
                          • Fallacies (80%)
                            The article contains several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to emotion. The author uses phrases such as 'dozens killed and wounded' and 'rising death toll' without providing specific numbers or context, which can be manipulative and create a sense of urgency without providing accurate information. Additionally, the author quotes armed wings of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah making attacks against Israeli forces without explicitly stating that these are the groups responsible for the deaths and injuries mentioned earlier in the article. This can create a false equivalence between Israel's military actions and Palestinian militant groups' actions. Lastly, there is an appeal to authority when the author mentions that 'Israel says it must capture Rafah to destroy Hamas and ensure the country's security.' However, this statement does not provide any evidence or context for why this is necessary or true.
                            • ]The Israeli military said its forces have continued to operate in areas across the Gaza Strip including Jabalia and Rafah, carrying out what it called ‘precise operations against terrorists and infrastructure.’[
                            • Rising death toll Armed wings of Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, and Fatah said fighters attacked Israeli forces in Jabalia and Rafah with anti-tank rockets, mortar bombs, and explosive devices already planted in some of the roads, killing and wounding many soldiers.
                            • Israel says it must capture Rafah to destroy Hamas and ensure the country’s security.
                          • Bias (100%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication
                          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication
                          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication