Israel has reopened the sole pedestrian crossing to Egypt, allowing dozens of Palestinians to enter or exit Gaza in a significant development under the ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the conflict. Palestinian and Egyptian sources confirmed that around 50 Palestinians were in the process of returning to Gaza, undergoing Israeli security checks before entering the enclave. Among them, approximately 20,000 individuals, including children and adults in need of medical treatment, are hoping to leave the devastated territory through the crossing. Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, expressed concern over the limited number of people allowed to exit daily, emphasizing the urgent need for more patients to be evacuated, especially those requiring critical medical attention like open-heart surgery and cancer treatment.
The Rafah crossing, shared with Israel, serves as a crucial entry point, with Israel’s military controlling the area between the crossing and the Palestinian residential zones. On Monday, five patients accompanied by relatives were escorted by the World Health Organization to the crossing compound for medical treatment abroad. Palestinian officials cited Israeli security checks as the reason for delays, claiming that essential medical equipment was being withheld from reaching those in need. Meanwhile, preparations are underway in Egypt to receive war-wounded patients evacuated from Gaza through the Rafah crossing, with 150 hospitals ready to provide medical assistance. The Egyptian Red Crescent has also established safe spaces to support evacuees on the Egyptian side of the crossing.
Israel’s restriction on sending patients to hospitals in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has further exacerbated the healthcare crisis in Gaza. To regulate the movement of individuals through the Rafah crossing, Israel and Egypt will conduct thorough vetting processes, with European Union border patrol agents overseeing the operations. The number of travelers passing through the crossing is expected to increase gradually if the system proves successful.
Despite ongoing violence in Gaza, efforts are underway to implement the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, focusing on governance, security, disarmament, and reconstruction. The ceasefire, which began in October, has seen significant casualties, with over 520 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, including more than 100 children. The ceasefire aims to bring stability to the region and pave the way for rebuilding efforts and long-term peace.