Israel has announced that the Rafah crossing, situated between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, is set to reopen on Monday for a restricted “pilot phase.” This decision comes at a time when thousands of Palestinians who are sick or wounded are seeking urgent medical assistance outside of the territory.
COGAT, the Israeli military agency responsible for overseeing aid to Gaza, confirmed on Sunday that the border will be open to pedestrians only, and that its management will be a coordinated effort involving Egypt and the European Union, reports Al Jazeera.
To prepare for the reopening, the Israeli army has finalised the construction of a screening facility intended to process Palestinians moving through the crossing.
Although the Rafah border is the only crossing in Gaza that does not enter Israel, it has been mostly closed for nearly two years since Israeli forces took control of it in May 2024.
Prior to the current conflict, the site was managed through a joint effort between Egyptian and Palestinian authorities with Israeli coordination.
Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Khan Younis, characterized the reopening as an “uncomfortable dynamic” for those living in Gaza. He explained that there is a significant tension between the desire to seek help and the fear of permanent displacement.
According to Mahmoud, “Palestinians want to leave, but at the same time, they’re worried they won’t be able to come back.”
He further noted that “People said the purpose for them departing would strictly be for medical evacuation or continuing their education, and they want to come back later on.”
