Rafah in the news as Gaza ceasefire strains and reconstruction plans spark pressure and talks on disarmament; a border city with 171k in 2017.
Israeli forces have carried out multiple strikes in Gaza, violating the ceasefire. Palestinian casualties have increased, with over 600 killed since October 2023. Israeli restrictions on aid and military operations are escalating, worsening humanitarian conditions amid ongoing conflict.
Nickolay Mladenov has told the UN Security Council that implementation of the US-led Board of Peace Gaza roadmap has stalled because Hamas has refused to disarm and Israel is maintaining control of roughly 60% of Gaza. Daily strikes and constrained aid are persisting, reconstruction finance is drying up, and diplomacy is not completing the transition to the second phase.