Rafah Crossing Reopens With Only Limited Movement on First Day
By The Media Line Staff
Despite the landmark opening on Monday of the Rafah Crossing, which had been closed during the two years of war between Israel and Hamas, fewer than the expected number of people were reported to have passed either to or from Gaza.
Israel agreed to open the crossing pending the return of the remains of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, which occurred last week. This development paved the way for the crossing to be opened so that Gazans, particularly those seeking medical care, could make the journey to Egypt, and Palestinians outside the Strip could return to their families.
However, sources told the Times of Israel that only about 12 people crossed Rafah in each direction on Monday out of the 42 who sought passage. Qatari channel Al-Araby reported that 30 returned to Egypt. Initially, it was agreed that 50 people would be allowed to enter Gaza daily and 150, comprising 50 medical patients with two family members each, would be permitted to leave for Egypt. An Egyptian official told AFP that five of the 12 people who traveled through the Rafah Crossing were patients seeking medical treatment.
Those seeking to return to Gaza from Egypt must first go through Palestinian Authority representatives and monitors from the European Union. After that, they are directed to an Israel Defense Forces screening point roughly five kilometers northeast of the Rafah Crossing on the Salah a-Din road, where they undergo security procedures before being cleared to head into areas of Gaza under Hamas control.
The zone separating the Rafah crossing from this checkpoint is under the authority of the Popular Forces, a militia created by Bedouin leader Yasser Abu Shabab, known for his opposition to Hamas, who was killed late last year.
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