Occupied Territories – The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced Wednesday that the Rafah crossing will open “in the coming days” to allow Gaza residents to exit into Egypt. This decision, according to COGAT, is in accordance with the existing ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement released on X, COGAT stated, “According to the ceasefire agreement and a directive from the political echelon, the Rafah crossing will open in the coming days exclusively for the exit of residents of the Gaza Strip to Egypt.” The statement further indicated that the opening would be coordinated with Cairo and the European Union mission involved in monitoring the crossing.
The Rafah crossing was initially scheduled to open last October as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on October 10th. However, Israel did not adhere to this timeline. Israeli forces closed the Rafah crossing at the beginning of their military operation in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, in early May 2024, preventing the entry and exit of civilians. Furthermore, only minimal amounts of aid were permitted, insufficient to meet the daily needs of Palestinians, leading to unprecedented levels of famine.
The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel was brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, with US support. The first phase of the agreement took effect on October 10th. Despite the ceasefire, reports indicate ongoing violations by Israel, targeting Palestinians outside the areas designated for withdrawal under the agreement, resulting in casualties. The agreement was intended to end a devastating campaign that began on October 8th, 2023.
The conflict has resulted in a staggering loss of life, with over 70,000 Palestinian fatalities and approximately 171,000 injuries, primarily affecting women and children. The widespread destruction has led the United Nations to estimate reconstruction costs at around $70 billion. The ceasefire agreement came into effect on October 10th, but the situation remains fragile.
According to a UN spokesperson, over 16,500 Palestinian patients still require life-saving medical care outside of the Gaza Strip.
