Israel Closes Rafah Crossing Amid Escalating Regional Tensions and Strikes on Iran

Rafah Crossing Shut Down Amid Regional Escalation

Israel announced the closure of all crossings into the Gaza Strip, including the vital Rafah land crossing, on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The decision, made by Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), comes amid heightened regional tensions following a joint Israeli-American operation involving strikes on Iran. The closure also extends to West Bank crossings, with exceptions for essential workers holding designated permits.

COGAT stated that the measure was a 'necessary security adjustment' implemented to 'safeguard lives' and maintain 'security stability' in the region. The agency further warned that 'any incitement or support for Iran would trigger a severe response.'

Joint Strikes on Iran and Retaliation

The closure of the crossings followed large-scale military strikes conducted by Israel and the United States against targets in Iran, including Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan. US President Donald Trump reportedly stated that Washington had begun 'major combat operations.' Explosions were reported in Tehran, which described the assault as 'aerial Zionist aggression.' In response, Iran retaliated with ballistic missile strikes on Israel and attacks on US military bases across the region, including in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Reports also emerged of the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Humanitarian Aid Delivery Severely Impacted

The immediate consequence of the Rafah crossing closure is the halting of critical humanitarian supplies and the transfer of patients in urgent need of medical evacuation. The crossing, which serves as Gaza's sole border point with Egypt, had only recently reopened in early February 2026 for limited civilian movement and medical transfers after being closed for months.

COGAT, however, asserted that the closure 'will have no impact on the humanitarian situation' in the Gaza Strip, claiming that 'substantial quantities of food' delivered since the beginning of the ceasefire amounted to 'four times the nutritional needs of the population' and that existing stocks were expected to 'suffice for an extended period.' This claim contrasts with reports from mid-February by the United Nations and Human Rights Watch, which highlighted ongoing impediments to aid delivery and persistent shortages of medicines, reconstruction equipment, food, and water within the strip. The closure also postpones rotations of humanitarian personnel into Gaza.

Gaza's Vulnerable Population Faces Further Hardship

With virtually all of Gaza's population of over 2 million displaced and heavily reliant on external assistance, the renewed closure of the Rafah crossing exacerbates an already dire humanitarian crisis. The move further isolates the enclave, limiting access to essential goods and services for a population struggling with the aftermath of prolonged conflict and displacement.