Gaza (QNN)- Israel has partially opened the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt after two years of genocide. Palestinians are not expected to be allowed to pass through on Sunday, as strict security screenings will be carried out. Entry into Gaza will be permitted only for Palestinians who fled the territory during the assault and who have received prior Israeli security approval.
Israeli media reported on Sunday the opening of the Rafah Crossing. A security source told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz that Palestinians from Gaza are not expected to pass through it today.
According to the source, “system checks” are being carried out along with the launch of an “initial operating model” in cooperation with Egypt and a European Union delegation tasked with overseeing the Gaza side of the crossing.
COGAT, an Israeli military agency, said the entry into Gaza will be allowed only for Palestinians who left the territory during the genocidal war and who have received prior Israeli security approval.
Meanwhile, reports said that at Egypt’s request, exit from Gaza will be permitted only for the sick and wounded along with their escorts.
Israel will also erect a military checkpoint near the crossing on the Gaza side close to the yellow line demarcation, Haaretz reported. A security official said about 150 people per day would be allowed to exit through the crossing, with those traveling to be brought in groups by bus and 50 Palestinian allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health warned that there are critical medical cases in urgent need of immediate evacuation through the Rafah Crossing, as their lives are at serious risk. The Ministry said around 6,000 injured people require urgent transfer to receive medical treatment. It added that the current evacuation system is extremely slow and could take years to clear the backlog of patients and wounded. According to the Ministry, evacuating at least 500 patients per day is necessary to alleviate their suffering.
A photo circulating on social media posted by COGAT shows the entrance to the crossing, where a narrow corridor is lined with tall metal fences topped with coiled razor wire. At the far end, a large metal gate stands closed, blocking passage, as if it is a "caged road".
https://x.com/cogatonline/status/2017899658849202577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2017899658849202577%7Ctwgr%5E624bc4ab7ff0bf1fc59a3d384fa11f25f34d681e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aljazeera.com%2Fnews%2Fliveblog%2F2026%2F2%2F1%2Flive-israel-to-partially-open-rafah-in-gaza-as-dozens-killed-in-attacks
https://x.com/suppressednws1/status/2017889035268579495?s=46&t=t_-JFgpXqgMIkVsuBfWELw
“In accordance with the ceasefire agreement and a directive of the political echelon, the Rafah Crossing was opened today for the limited passage of residents only,” said COGAT, the Israeli Defence Ministry body coordinating Palestinian civilian affairs.
“As part of this, an initial pilot phase began today conducted in coordination with the European Union Border Assistance Mission [EUBAM], Egypt, and all relevant stakeholders.
“The actual passage of residents in both directions will begin upon completion of these preparations,” it added.
For Palestinians in Gaza, the Rafah crossing had long been the only connection to the outside world.
Israeli forces occupied the Palestinian side of the crossing in May 2024, destroying its buildings, preventing travel and causing a severe humanitarian crisis, especially for patients. They deployed soldiers in a military buffer zone all across the Philadelphi Corridor, where they remain today.
The first phase of Trump’s Gaza ceasefire 20-point plan, which took effect in October to end Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, had called for Israel to let humanitarian aid into the territory and open “the Rafah crossing in both directions”.
However, Israel has violated the agreement and continued to close it along with killing hundreds of civilians and blocking much-needed aid. Israel also continues to occupy over 50 percent of Gaza.
There have been reports that Israel plans to restrict the number of Palestinians entering the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, ensuring that more people are allowed out than in. Israeli officials have repeatedly called for the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the occupation of the enclave, and the construction of illegal settlements. Palestinians fear that such plans for the Rafah crossing amid Israel control are intended to expel them permanently, or that those who leave even temporarily could be prevented from returning.
The limited reopening of the crossing comes just one day after Israel killed at least 31 Palestinians in attacks across the enclave, marking one of the bloodiest days since an October “ceasefire” took hold.
