Israel to partially reopen Rafah crossing after months of closure

Israel is set to partially reopen the Rafah crossing between the wardevastated Gaza Strip and Egypt on Sunday following months of urging from humanitarian organisations though access will be limited to the movement of peopleThe reopening comes amid ongoing violence in the Palestinian territory with Gazas civil defence agency reporting dozens killed in Israeli attacks on Saturday while the Israeli military said it was retaliating against ceasefire violationsThe Rafah crossing is a vital gateway for both civilians and aid but has remained closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024 during the war with Hamas aside from a brief and limited reopening in early 2025Israel had previously said it would not reopen the crossing until the remains of Ran Gvili the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza were returnedHis remains were recovered days ago and he was laid to rest in Israel on WednesdayThe Rafah Crossing will open this coming Sunday February 1st in both directions for limited movement of people only COGAT an Israeli defence ministry body overseeing civil affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories said on FridayEntry and exit will be permitted in coordination with Egypt following prior security clearance of individuals by Israel and under the supervision of the European Union mission it addedHowever key details remain unclear including how many people will be allowed to cross and whether those seeking to return to Gaza will be permitted entryA source at the border told AFP that Sunday would be largely devoted to preparations and logistical arrangementsThe crossing is set to open on Sunday on a trial basis to allow the passage of wounded individuals ahead of a regular reopening scheduled for Monday three sources at the crossing saidHowever no agreement has yet been reached on the number of Palestinians permitted to enter or exit the sources added noting that Egypt plans to admit all Palestinians whom Israel authorises to leave the territoryEvery day that passes drains my life and worsens my condition said Mohammed Shamiya 33 who suffers from kidney disease and requires dialysis treatment abroadIm waiting every moment for the opening of the Rafah land crossing Anxious wait Safa alHawajri who has received a scholarship to study overseas is also eagerly awaiting the reopening on SundayIm waiting in the hope of fulfilling my ambition which is tied to the reopening of the crossing said Hawajri 18I hope to be able to travel as soon as it opensLocated on Gazas southern border with Egypt Rafah is the only crossing into and out of the territory that does not pass through IsraelThe crossing lies in an area held by Israeli forces following their withdrawal behind the socalled Yellow Line under the terms of a USbrokered ceasefire that came into effect on October 10Israeli troops still control more than half of Gaza while the rest remains under Hamas authorityThe ceasefire has now entered its second phase and calls for reopening the crossing following the release or return of all Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militantsHamas had called for its full reopening in both directions after the remains of Gvili were brought back to IsraelThe reopening is expected to facilitate the entry of a 15member Palestinian technocratic body the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza NCAG established to oversee the daytoday governance of the territorys 22 million residentsThe committee is to operate under the supervision of the socalled Board of Peace chaired by US President Donald TrumpThe NCAG headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy minister Ali Shaath is expected to enter the Gaza Strip once the Rafah crossing reopensViolence continued ahead of the crossings reopeningAt least 32 people including children were killed on Saturday in Israeli air strikes in Gaza reported the civil defence agency which operates as a rescue force under the Hamas authorityIsraels military said the strikes were retaliation for an incident on Friday in which eight Palestinian fighters exited a tunnel in the city of Rafah which it said violated the ceasefireThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever