All eyes on Rafah - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Location: Rafah is a city located in the southern Gaza Strip, bordering Egypt.
- 2. History: Rafah has a long history dating back to ancient times, with evidence of settlement dating back to the Bronze Age.
- 3. Border crossing: Rafah is home to the Rafah Border Crossing, which serves as the primary crossing point between Gaza and Egypt.
- 4. Population: Rafah has a population of around 71,000 residents, making it one of the largest cities in the Gaza Strip.
- 5. Economy: Rafah's economy is largely dependent on trade with Egypt through the Rafah Border Crossing, as well as agriculture and fishing.
- 6. Conflict: Rafah has been the site of numerous conflicts between Palestinians and Israeli forces, particularly during the Gaza War in 2014.
- 7. Refugee camp: Rafah is home to the Rafah refugee camp, one of the largest refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, housing thousands of Palestinian refugees.
- 8. Infrastructure: Rafah has faced challenges in terms of infrastructure, with limited access to basic services such as electricity, water, and healthcare.
- 9. Political situation: Rafah is under the control of Hamas, the militant group that governs the Gaza Strip, leading to tensions with Israel and Egypt.
- 10. Reconstruction efforts: In recent years, there have been efforts to rebuild and improve infrastructure in Rafah, with the support of international aid organizations and governments.