Daijiworld Media Network - Gaza
Gaza, Feb 2: Israel has announced that it will reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in a limited “pilot phase” from Monday, offering a narrow window of relief for thousands of sick and wounded Palestinians awaiting urgent medical treatment abroad.
The Israeli military agency COGAT, which oversees civilian affairs in Gaza, said on Sunday that the crossing will initially operate for Gaza residents travelling on foot only, with movement permitted in both directions. The reopening will be coordinated with Egypt and the European Union.
“Today, a pilot is underway to test and assess the operation of the crossing,” COGAT said in a statement, adding that the movement of residents into and out of Gaza is expected to begin on Monday. The announcement followed confirmation by the Israeli military that it has completed a screening facility to process Palestinians passing through the crossing.
Rafah is Gaza’s only border crossing not directly controlled by Israel. Before the war, it was jointly administered by Palestinian and Egyptian authorities in coordination with Israel. However, it has remained closed for nearly two years after Israeli forces took control of the crossing in May 2024 during the ongoing war on Gaza.
Reporting from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud described the reopening as creating an uneasy situation. He said many Palestinians want to leave for medical care or education but fear they may not be allowed to return later.
Gaza’s Government Media Office director Ismail al-Thawabta said around 80,000 Palestinians who left Gaza during the war are seeking to return. He added that an estimated 22,000 wounded and sick people are in dire need of medical evacuation for treatment abroad.
According to Egyptian officials quoted by Reuters, at least 50 Palestinian patients are expected to cross into Egypt for treatment initially. In the first few days, about 200 people, including patients and accompanying family members, are expected to transit daily into Egypt, while around 50 people may return to Gaza each day. Lists of those allowed to cross have been submitted by Egypt and approved by Israel.
Footage from the Egyptian side of the border showed ambulances lined up in preparation to receive patients from Gaza.
Among those waiting is 65-year-old Abed El Halim Abo Askar, who has been battling cancer for four years. His surgery, scheduled for October 10, 2023, was postponed when the war began days earlier. His family says access to treatment has been impossible, with medicines scarce and hospitals destroyed.
Despite the announcement on Rafah, Israeli attacks continued across Gaza. Medical sources said at least three Palestinians were killed on Sunday in drone attacks in Rafah and central Gaza. On Saturday, at least 31 people were killed in multiple air raids. Since the start of the US-brokered “ceasefire” in October, Israeli forces have reportedly killed at least 511 Palestinians and wounded over 1,400.
Meanwhile, Israel announced it would terminate the operations of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Gaza, citing the organisation’s failure to submit a list of its Palestinian staff. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and the United Nations, which have warned that Gaza requires at least 600 trucks of aid daily to meet basic needs.
Humanitarian experts said the move would further worsen Gaza’s already dire healthcare crisis, as international organisations struggle to operate amid ongoing restrictions and destruction.