Rafah Crossing to Gradually Reopen After Nearly 20 Months of Closure

The National Committee for the Management of the Gaza Strip announced that the Rafah land crossing, which has been closed for months, will resume operations from next Monday after finalizing coordination for passage in both directions.

Ali Shaath, head of the committee, stated on social media that Sunday, February 1, will serve as a trial day to adjust the crossing’s operational mechanisms, preparing for full reopening the following day.

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation authorities have also announced their decision to reopen the Rafah crossing starting Sunday. However, they emphasized that entry and exit of travelers will be conditional upon “security inspections.” According to Israel’s Channel 12, movement of passengers from Gaza will only be possible with coordination from the Egyptian side and after obtaining prior security clearance from Israel.

Based on the report, return to Gaza will be limited to individuals who left the area during the conflict, meaning the Rafah crossing will not be fully open to all groups. This restriction continues to cause widespread concern among Gaza residents.

The Rafah crossing was completely closed on May 7, 2023, coinciding with the Israeli military assault on Rafah city in southern Gaza. Gaza’s Ministry of Health has reported that the continued closure has resulted in the deaths of over a thousand patients, with more than 22,000 wounded and ill individuals still urgently needing to travel for treatment outside Gaza.

Beyond health consequences, the crossing’s closure has severely disrupted the education of thousands of students who have received foreign scholarships, underscoring the severe humanitarian pressures caused by these restrictions.