What we know about the limited reopening of the Rafah crossing

Israel is reopening the Rafah Crossing after nearly two years of closure, allowing a limited number of Palestinians to cross. The reopening is part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement and is set to commence on Sunday, with only 150-200 individuals permitted to pass through. The Israeli Ministry of Defence body, COGAT, confirmed that movement of individuals would begin at that time, facilitating limited pedestrian crossings in both directions (Al Jazeera, Google News). On the first day of its reopening, reports indicated that only 12 Palestinians entered Gaza through Rafah, while five patients and their escorts were allowed to leave for Egypt. Gaza’s health ministry noted that approximately 20,000 people are currently waiting to leave for medical care (Google News). Despite the reopening, access remains highly restricted, and Israel continues to control the Palestinian side of the crossing. Humanitarian aid flows into Gaza are extremely limited, with no indication from COGAT regarding a significant increase in aid supplies (Google News). The Rafah crossing connects Gaza to Egypt and has been under Israeli control since May 2024, a measure aimed at curbing Hamas's ability to smuggle weapons. The reopening highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where many individuals are in urgent need of medical evacuation and support (The Guardian). The situation underscores the complex interplay between security concerns and humanitarian needs in the region, reflecting broader themes of loss and resilience amid ongoing conflict (haaretz.com).