WEB DESK: After 18 months of closure, the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened Monday, offering a critical lifeline for Palestinians needing urgent medical care.
Despite this, Israeli restrictions allowed only five patients to leave Gaza on day one, leaving many more waiting. The crossing, Gaza’s sole non-Israeli-controlled exit, enabled a few patients to seek treatment abroad, including 17-year-old Mohammed Abu Mostafa, injured in an Israeli airstrike. Traveling with his mother, Randa, she expressed relief but also sadness over leaving four of her children behind, as only limited companions were allowed. Her main hope was her son’s recovery and potential to regain his sight.
Originally planned to assist 50 patients daily, the strict Israeli limits resulted in just 15 crossings, including the patients and their companions. Reports also mentioned 50 returns from Egypt, though unverified. Lengthy security checks and pre-approvals further slowed the process.
Raed al-Nims of Gaza’s Red Crescent highlighted the struggles faced by severely injured patients waiting months for passage. Germany welcomed the partial reopening as progress toward a US-backed plan for Gaza, urging more open crossings for humanitarian aid. The EU Border Assistance Mission monitored Rafah operations but holds no sway over crossing numbers.
