Gaza: The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been reopened as part of a 'pilot operation' after nearly two years of closure, according to Israeli media on Sunday morning. 'The Rafah crossing has opened in a pilot operation,' the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
According to Anadolu Agency, the movement of people is expected to begin on Monday in both directions, with about 150 people anticipated to leave the Gaza Strip daily, compared to about 50 who will return. The report also highlighted that Palestinians who left Gaza during the Israeli war will be allowed to return through the terminal. Israel will monitor the terminal's operations remotely using surveillance equipment, rather than having Israeli soldiers present directly at the site.
The daily noted that Egypt will provide Israel with a daily list of individuals crossing the border in both directions over the next 24 hours. Furthermore, a small number of wounded Palestinian gunmen will be permitted to exit through the crossing if they wish, and all those who leave will be allowed to return.
According to Egypt's state-run Al-Qahera News channel, Cairo plans to start transferring Palestinian patients from Gaza to Egyptian hospitals via the Rafah crossing on Monday for medical treatment. To facilitate this, ambulances have been deployed in large numbers on the Egyptian side, and hospitals across Egypt have intensified their readiness measures.
The news channel also mentioned that the transfer of patients will follow an agreed mechanism, and the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing will be fully operational by Monday. The Egyptian Health Ministry has dispatched medical supplies and equipment to conduct necessary examinations for the patients arriving from Gaza.
The Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing remains open 24 hours a day and is fully operational to assist with the transfers, the outlet added. However, no official statements were immediately issued by Israeli, Egyptian, or Palestinian authorities regarding the report.
The Rafah crossing, a vital route for humanitarian aid, was captured by Israel in May 2024, almost nine months into Tel Aviv's ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in over 71,000 deaths and more than 171,000 injuries since October 2023. The terminal's reopening was initially scheduled for October under the first phase of a ceasefire deal, but Israel delayed the reopening until it secured the release of its last captive in Gaza this week.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued its attacks, leading to 524 deaths and 1,360 injuries since October 10, according to Gaza's media office.