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After months of closure, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has
finally reopened. This important step has given hope to thousands of Palestinians
who need medical treatment, want to return home, or hope to reunite with their
families.
The reopening comes after a long period of war and suffering in Gaza. Although
only a small number of people are allowed to cross each day, Rafah is once again
becoming a lifeline for civilians trapped by conflict.
Why the Rafah Crossing Is Important
Rafah is the only border crossing that connects Gaza directly with Egypt. Before the
war, it was the main exit and entry point for Palestinians who wanted to travel for
education, work, medical care, or family reasons.
When the crossing was closed in May 2024, Gaza became almost completely
isolated. People could no longer leave for treatment, and many families were
separated. Hospitals struggled without enough medicine and equipment.
For many residents, Rafah represents freedom of movement and access to basic
human rights.
Limited Reopening After Long Delays
Late Monday night, a small group of Palestinians were allowed to return to Gaza
from Egypt. At the same time, several injured and sick people were evacuated to
Egyptian hospitals.
Officials had said that about 50 people would be allowed to cross daily in each
direction. However, the real number was much lower. Many travelers waited for
hours or even days before being approved.
The reopening is part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Still,
strict security rules and political tensions have slowed the process.
For now, only individuals can pass. No goods, food, or building materials are
allowed through the crossing.
Medical Evacuations Bring New Hope
One of the main goals of reopening Rafah is to help patients who cannot be treated
in Gaza.
After two years of war, Gaza’s healthcare system is badly damaged. Many hospitals
have been destroyed or lack supplies. Doctors work under very difficult conditions.
According to health officials, around 20,000 Palestinians are waiting for treatment
abroad. Many suffer from serious injuries, cancer, heart disease, and other life-
threatening illnesses.
Egypt has prepared more than 150 hospitals to receive patients from Gaza. The
Egyptian Red Crescent also provides support near the border.
Even so, the journey is hard. Patients often wait for long hours in ambulances. The
trip to Cairo takes about six hours. Many are weak and in pain when they arrive.
Still, for many families, evacuation is their only chance to save their loved ones.
Stories of Families Waiting for Relief
Behind every crossing approval is a human story.
Rajaa Abu Mustafa waited outside a hospital for news about her son Mohamed. He
lost his eyesight after being injured while searching for food aid.
When she learned he would be sent to Egypt for treatment, she felt hope again.
Iman Rashwan has been waiting for her mother and sister to return. They left Gaza
a year ago for medical care. For months, she had no clear information.
Now, with the crossing reopened, she finally believes they will come home.
These stories show how deeply the closure affected daily life in Gaza.
Strict Security and Border Control
Travel through Rafah is carefully controlled.
Before anyone can cross, their name must be approved by both Egypt and Israel.
This process can take days. Travelers are checked for identity and security reasons.
European Union officials and Palestinian staff help manage the crossing. Israeli
forces operate nearby but not directly at the gate.
Only people with special permission can travel. This includes patients, returnees,
and some family members.
Many residents complain that the system is slow and unfair. Some people have
been waiting for months without a response.
Violence Continues Despite Ceasefire
Although a ceasefire began in October, violence has not fully stopped.
On Monday, Palestinian officials reported that an Israeli naval attack hit tents in
Khan Younis, killing a three-year-old child. Israel said it was investigating the case.
In other areas, Israeli troops have fired at people near restricted zones.
Since the ceasefire started, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed. Since the war
began in 2023, tens of thousands have lost their lives.
These incidents remind people that peace is still fragile.
Rafah and the Ceasefire Agreement
The reopening of Rafah is part of a wider peace plan supported by the United
States and international partners.
The first phase of the agreement included:
Exchange of prisoners and hostages
Increased humanitarian aid
Reduction of military activity
Partial withdrawal of troops
Opening Rafah was one of the promises made in this phase.
The second phase is more difficult. It focuses on rebuilding Gaza, creating new
leadership, and improving security.
Without open borders, these goals will be hard to achieve.
The Growing Medical Crisis
For many months, only a few patients were allowed to leave Gaza each week. As a
result, many people died while waiting for treatment.
The World Health Organization says thousands still need urgent evacuation.
Israel has also banned most transfers to hospitals in the West Bank and East
Jerusalem. This has reduced medical options even more.
Doctors warn that delays can turn treatable illnesses into deadly ones.
Opening Rafah again may save many lives, but only if numbers increase.
Displacement and Fear of Permanent Migration
Since the war started, more than 100,000 Palestinians have left Gaza. Some left for
safety, others for medical care.
Many families fear they may never return.
Egypt has said it does not want Palestinians to be forced out permanently. It
supports their right to come back.
However, some Israeli leaders have spoken about encouraging migration, which
worries human rights groups.
People in Gaza want to travel, but they also want to keep their homeland.
Humanitarian Organizations Call for More Action
International groups have welcomed the reopening, but say it is not enough.
The United Nations wants:
Aid trucks to pass through Rafah
More people to travel freely
Faster approval systems
Protection for civilians
Charities like Save the Children say thousands of children need urgent care,
education, and psychological support.
They believe full access is necessary to avoid more suffering.
Economic and Social Effects
Before the war, Rafah helped Gaza stay connected to the world.
Students used it to study abroad. Workers traveled for jobs. Families visited
relatives. Traders moved goods.
After its closure, unemployment increased and poverty spread.
Reopening could slowly improve life, but without allowing goods, real recovery is
impossible.
Businesses cannot restart without materials and markets.
Hope Mixed With Uncertainty
For many Gazans, Rafah’s reopening is a small light in a dark time.
It brings:
Hope for patients
Return of loved ones
Signs of political progress
But it also brings:
Long waiting times
Limited access
Continued fear
Unclear future
People remain cautious. They have seen promises broken before.
The reopening of the Rafah crossing is an important step for Palestinians in Gaza. It
allows patients to seek treatment, families to reunite, and civilians to reconnect
with the outside world.
However, the limited number of crossings and ongoing violence show that true
peace has not yet arrived.
For Gaza to recover, borders must open wider, aid must flow freely, and lasting
political solutions must be found.
Only then can the people of Gaza begin to rebuild their lives with dignity and
security.
