Rafah crossing reopens for limited medical evacuations from Gaza

BBC
BBC 1h
Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing for people, initially allowing a small number of sick and wounded Palestinians to exit Gaza into Egypt.
Rafah crossing reopens for limited medical evacuations from Gaza
A What happened
The Rafah crossing had largely been closed since Israeli forces captured the Gazan side in May 2024. The reopening had been expected during the first phase of a ceasefire plan that began in October, but Israel delayed it until the return of the body of the last Israeli hostage, which occurred last week. Israeli reports said up to 50 patients per day, each accompanied by one or two relatives, would be permitted to leave, and that 50 people who left Gaza during the war would be allowed to return; on Monday, five patients and seven companions crossed. Local hospitals and the WHO estimate around 20,000 sick and wounded Palestinians are waiting to leave Gaza for treatment, and the current reopening does not include goods traffic.

Why it matters

  • Medical evacuation capacity remains far below stated demand: With tens of thousands reportedly awaiting treatment outside Gaza, the initial daily throughput and first-day crossings indicate a large backlog will persist even with sustained operations.

  • Reopening is tied to ceasefire-linked conditions rather than routine border operations: The delay until a hostage-related condition was met shows the crossing’s status is being used as a negotiating lever, making access vulnerable to future political or security disputes.

  • No goods movement limits humanitarian and economic relief: Keeping the crossing open only for people constrains the route’s usefulness for broader supply inflows and commercial activity.

Topics

World & Politics International Affairs Conflicts Human Rights

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