The Rafah crossing, a vital lifeline for Gaza, reopened following a truce that includes a 42-day cease-fire and a series of hostage-for-prisoner exchanges. Israeli officials confirmed that the border would see daily departures of up to 50 sick and injured individuals, alongside Palestinian women and children needing urgent medical assistance.
The reopening comes after the release of the last living female hostages held by Hamas, marking an important step toward peace efforts that have plagued the region. European and Palestinian officials conducted a successful trial run at the border crossing in preparation for the influx of patients expected to commence on Saturday.
Since Hamas’s takeover of Gaza in 2007, they have controlled the Rafah border, but following Israel's military actions in the area, the crossing was under new security arrangements between Israel, Egypt, and the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. This delicate coordination is viewed as crucial in addressing the humanitarian crisis emerging from the ongoing conflict, providing much-needed relief for those trapped within Gaza's confines.
The reopening comes after the release of the last living female hostages held by Hamas, marking an important step toward peace efforts that have plagued the region. European and Palestinian officials conducted a successful trial run at the border crossing in preparation for the influx of patients expected to commence on Saturday.
Since Hamas’s takeover of Gaza in 2007, they have controlled the Rafah border, but following Israel's military actions in the area, the crossing was under new security arrangements between Israel, Egypt, and the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. This delicate coordination is viewed as crucial in addressing the humanitarian crisis emerging from the ongoing conflict, providing much-needed relief for those trapped within Gaza's confines.
