"When the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt finally reopened this week, Palestinian officials heralded it as a window of hope after two years of war as a fragile ceasefire deal moves forward. But that hope has been sidetracked by disagreements over who should be allowed through, hourslong delays and Palestinian travelers' reports of being handcuffed and interrogated by Israeli soldiers. Far fewer people than expected have crossed in both directions. Restrictions negotiated by Israeli, Egyptian, Palestinian and international officials meant that only 50 people would be allowed to return to Gaza each day and 50 medical patients along with two companions for each would be allowed to leave."
"The Rafah crossing is a lifeline for Gaza, providing the only link to the outside world not controlled by Israel. Israel seized it in May 2024, though traffic through the crossing was heavily restricted even before that. Several women who managed to return to Gaza after its reopening recounted to The Associated Press harsh treatment by Israeli authorities and an Israeli-backed Palestinian armed group, Abu Shabab. A European Union mission and Palestinian officials run the border crossing, and Israel has its screening facility some distance away."
The Rafah border crossing reopened amid a fragile ceasefire, but operations were hampered by disputes over who could cross, long delays and closures. Negotiated restrictions allowed 50 daily returns to Gaza and 50 medical patients with two companions to exit, yet only 36 patients and 62 companions left in the first four days. Palestinian officials estimate nearly 20,000 Gazans seek medical evacuation. Travelers reported being handcuffed and interrogated by Israeli soldiers and questioned by an Israeli-backed Palestinian armed group. The crossing is managed by a European Union mission and Palestinian officials, while Israel maintains a separate screening facility.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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