Gaza's Rafah crossing makes limited reopening after two-year war

Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt has partially reopened after nearly two years of closure, allowing limited movement of Palestinians. This reopening was confirmed by Israeli officials and is part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement. The initial phase permits only 50 people to cross in each direction, as reported by Egyptian media. The Israeli Ministry of Defence body, COGAT, stated that operations would commence on a limited basis, with the first day seeing only 12 Palestinians entering Gaza and five patients, along with their escorts, leaving for Egypt. Approximately 20,000 people are currently waiting to leave Gaza for medical treatment and other needs. The Rafah crossing has been under Israeli control since May 2024, a measure aimed at curbing Hamas's ability to smuggle weapons and restricting access to essential services for Gaza's residents. Despite the reopening, access remains highly restricted, and humanitarian aid flows into Gaza continue to be extremely limited. The situation reflects an ongoing humanitarian crisis, with many individuals in urgent need of medical evacuation and support. The reopening highlights the fragile nature of peace efforts and the persistent challenges faced by Palestinians in the region. The decision to reopen the crossing follows diplomatic negotiations aimed at stabilizing the ongoing conflict, although progress has been slow. The reopening serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between security concerns and humanitarian needs in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While it provides a lifeline for some, it does not fully address the broader humanitarian needs of the population, underscoring the need for sustained diplomatic engagement to address these challenges.