Rafah crossing reopens, easing patient flow from Gaza to Egypt

Rafah Crossing Reopens After Two-Year Closure, Limiting Number of Patients Allowed to Leave Gaza.

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened on Monday after a two-year closure, allowing five patients to exit Gaza for medical treatment. The crossing, which is the only land border between Gaza and Egypt that does not pass through Israel, had been closed by Israeli authorities as part of its military operations in Gaza.

According to reports, the first group of patients was allowed to leave after receiving a phone call informing them of their inclusion on the list of wounded patients scheduled to travel. The five patients were accompanied by two people each, bringing the total number of travelers to 15.

Mohammed Abu Mostafa, a 17-year-old patient from Khan Younis, was among those allowed to leave Gaza with his mother, Randa. Mohammed had been injured in an Israeli air attack and required medical treatment abroad.

The reopening of the Rafah crossing has been touted as evidence of progress under the United States-backed Gaza “ceasefire” deal. However, the first day’s operations revealed strict security restrictions, complex procedures, and limited numbers being allowed to cross.

According to officials, 50 patients were initially planned to depart daily, but only five were allowed to leave on Monday. Egyptian sources have confirmed that an additional 50 Palestinians were permitted to return to Gaza via the crossing, although no information is available on whether they have reached the Palestinian side.

The numbers are significantly lower than the estimated 22,000 people needing medical treatment abroad. Approximately 80,000 Palestinians who left Gaza during the war want to return.

Source: Al Jazeera