Israel will reopen the Rafah border crossing on Sunday for people to travel between Gaza and Egypt, the first opening of effectively the sole route in or out of the Palestinian territory since May 2024.
– The Israeli government agency that coordinates civilian policy in Gaza, COGAT, did not say how many of Gaza’s more than 2 million people would be allowed to cross the border per day.
– “The return of residents from Egypt to the Gaza Strip will be permitted, in coordination with Egypt, for residents who left Gaza during the course of the war only, and only after prior security clearance by Israel,” COGAT said.
– Israel wants to restrict the number of Palestinians entering Gaza through the border crossing with Egypt to ensure that more are allowed out than in. Egypt has not agreed to that.
– The crossing would open despite ongoing discussions between Egypt and Israel over the issue, saying that Israel wants to allow around 150 people to come back per day.
– The opening will solely allow the passage of people, even though Gaza remains in need of vital aid that humanitarian organizations say has been stymmied by Israeli restrictions.
– “Many people in Gaza are still living in the rubble without basic services, struggling to stay warm amid harsh winter conditions,” International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) president Mirjana Spoljaric said in a statement on Friday.
– She called for an easing of restrictions on “dual use” items like water pipes and generators, “which are essential for restoring the essential infrastructure people rely on.”