Khan Younis, Gaza Strip – Under international humanitarian law, freedom of movement is a fundamental right, inseparable from other core protections such as the right to life, food and education.In Gaza, however, freedom of movement has become a tool of control and collective punishment, administered through a complex system of road closures, permits and guarded land crossings.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listDuring Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which began in October 2023, this system became fully entrenched through the control of gateways: who is allowed in and out, when, in what numbers, and what goods may enter or are barred.As months passed, closure ceased to be a temporary “security measure” and instead became a daily reality that has redefined survival itself for Palestinians.A patient in need of medical treatment abroad, a student awaiting an opportunity to study, a family separated across borders, or a wounded war victim on an evacuation list – all ultimately confront the same barrier: Israeli-controlled land crossings.At the centre of this system stands the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, long viewed as Gaza’s only outlet to the outside world not directly governed by Israel.In practice, however, Rafah became part of the same control regime. On May 7, 2024, Israel announced it had taken “operational control” of the Palestinian side of the crossing, effectively shutting down a vital lifeline for humanitarian aid and medical evacuations.In the weeks that followed, media outlets documented how aid trucks were left stranded, and food supplies destined for Gaza had spoiled under the sun, while Rafah remained closed or e …
