Only 150 people will be allowed to leave Gaza daily, subject to approval from the Palestinian Authority. Only 50 people will be allowed to enter Gaza daily from Egypt.
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Rafah, the only border crossing connecting the Palestinian Gaza Strip with Egypt, has reopened on Monday, US media outlet CNN confirmed, citing Israeli security officials.
The crossing has been operational for almost a year. The crossing was previously operational for a short time after a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in January last year. But it was closed again in March after the ceasefire collapsed. The war began in October 2023 after Hamas attacked Israel. Since then, Israel has closed the crossing for most of the time.
Before the crossing opened on Sunday, a system check and various tests were carried out at the station where the Palestinian Authority and European Union observers are stationed. The crossing is open only to pedestrians. Trucks carrying rescue and aid supplies will still not be allowed to enter and exit here.
150 people will be allowed to leave Gaza daily. They will have to obtain permission from the Palestinian Authority. On the other hand, only 50 people will be allowed to enter Gaza daily from Egypt.
The closure of the crossing has prevented the wounded and sick in Palestine from leaving for treatment. The Gaza Health Ministry said last week that 20,000 people are waiting to travel abroad for treatment. They will be accompanied by at least one relative or caregiver.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations are facilitating the evacuation of patients despite the closure. Some 7,600 patients have been sent out for treatment in this way during the war.
Palestinian officials say nearly 100,000 Palestinians have left the government since the war began. Israel's right-wing government has adopted a policy of encouraging people to leave Gaza and not allowing them to return. That is why it has now imposed a rule that allows 150 people to leave, but only 50 to enter.
The US-brokered agreement signed last October stipulates that Hamas and other militant groups will lay down their arms, Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza, and a modern city will be built in Gaza. A peace committee led by US President Donald Trump has been formed to make this plan a reality.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, billionaire Marc Robben, and World Bank chief Ajay Banga, among others, are members of the committee.
