Devastated Rafah a ghost town as cease-fire and hostage release talks go on
NBC News was given access to Rafah in southern Gaza as Israeli forces continued operations in the now-unrecognizable city.
RAFAH, Gaza — Homes destroyed, buildings reduced to rubble and few signs of life other than sporadic gunfire. That's all there is to see now in some parts of Rafah, the city in southern Gaza that was once home to more than 1 million people.
NBC News was given rare access to Rafah last week as Israeli forces operated in the city while efforts ramped up to negotiate a cease-fire deal that would bring fighting to an end in the enclave and see the release of the hostages.
Israel does not allow foreign journalists to enter Gaza independently, so troops from the Israel Defense Forces guided NBC News and other American outlets into the enclave. NBC News agreed to share raw video with the IDF and blur the faces of any junior soldiers. It did not allow the IDF to view any of this written report.
After entering Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing at the corner of Gaza, Israel and Egypt, a military convoy traveled along the Philadelphi Corridor — the name for the southern border between Gaza and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. The roadway hugged the high-fenced border.
Egyptian guard towers and flags could seen on the other side.
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