Rafah Border Crossing to Reopen Under Strict conditions Amid Precarious Ceasefire
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Israel will begin reopening the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza strip on Sunday, February 1st, after being nearly hermetically sealed since May 2024. However, access will be severely restricted to individuals only, and subject to stringent conditions, occurring against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire.
Humanitarian Crisis Fuels Hope for Limited Access
The reopening, initially planned within the framework of the Trump plan accepted in October, offers a glimmer of hope for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has been ravaged by over two years of conflict and is grappling with a major humanitarian crisis. Many are hoping to finally be able to leave the territory.
However, the situation remains deeply unstable. Israeli strikes on Saturday resulted in 32 fatalities, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense, including women and children.Israel stated it conducted the airstrikes in response to violations of the ceasefire. This underscores the precarious nature of the current truce and the potential for escalation.
Limited Movement and Strict Security Protocols
The rafah crossing represents the sole entry and exit point between the gaza Strip and the outside world. israeli forces took control of the crossing in May 2024, allowing only a limited reopening in early 2025 as part of a previous, ultimately unsuccessful truce.
According to a statement released Friday by the Cogat, the Israeli Defense Ministry body overseeing civil affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, the crossing will open “in both directions, for limited movement of people only” on February 1st.
“Prior security authorization” from Israeli authorities will be required for both entry and exit from the Gaza Strip, in coordination with Egypt and under the supervision of the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Rafah (EUBAM Rafah). A source at the Egyptian border indicated Saturday that Sunday would be largely dedicated to logistical preparations and the arrival of a delegation from the Palestinian Authority.
Initial Phase Focused on Wounded, Uncertain Capacity
The crossing will initially open “on a trial basis” on Sunday to facilitate the passage of the wounded, with a regular opening anticipated on Monday, according to three sources within the crossing.
“No agreement has yet been reached on the number of Palestinians authorized to enter and exit,” the sources stated,adding that Egypt intends to allow the entry of “all Palestinians that Israel will authorize to leave.”
The limited nature of the reopening and the lack of a firm agreement on capacity raise concerns about the extent to which it will alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Why is the Rafah crossing reopening? The Rafah border crossing is reopening due to a fragile ceasefire agreement and to address the severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, offering a potential outlet for Palestinians and a pathway for aid. The reopening was initially planned as part of the Trump plan accepted in October.
Who is involved? Key players include Israel,which controls the crossing; Egypt,coordinating with israel; the Palestinian Authority,sending a delegation; the European Union,through EUBAM Rafah,providing oversight; and the people of gaza,who are hoping for increased access.
What are the conditions? Access is severely restricted to individuals only and requires “prior security authorization” from Israeli authorities for both entry and exit. The reopening is initially on a “trial basis,” focusing on the wounded, with no firm agreement on capacity.
How did it end? As of this report, the reopening is just beginning on February 1st.The initial phase focuses on the wounded, and a regular opening is anticipated on Monday. However, the long-term success of the reopening remains
