According to Palestinian Authority officials, 79 of those waiting at the Rafiah crossing in hopes of reentering Gaza are Hamas terrorists. The terrorists were sent abroad by senior Hamas terrorist Khalil Haju, PA officials said, in order to receive military training in Iran, Qatar, and Syria. The terrorists have begun a hunger strike.
Hamas continues attempts to put international pressure on Israel to open the Rafiah crossing, while refusing to let Gaza civilians enter through alternative crossings. The group has repeatedly attacked alternative crossings, such as Kerem Shalom, that have been used to allow food, medicine, and other goods into Gaza. IDF officials explained that Hamas hopes to force the opening of Rafiah, which it controls, in order to bring terrorists and weapons into the area with greater ease.