The Rafah border crossing in Gaza has reopened as the initial phase of President Trump’s peace plan concludes on Monday.
This development allows approximately 20,000 injured and ill Palestinians to start leaving the Gaza Strip for medical care, according to local health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO), although specifics about the process remain somewhat uncertain.
With the opening, some traffic is beginning to cross the border as the fragile ceasefire faces its biggest tests with the transition to the next phase of the peace deal.
Recently, a Palestinian child waved goodbye while departing Gaza as part of the first group exiting through the Rafah crossing for treatment.
The Israeli military has handed over control of the Rafah crossing, making it possible for Palestinians to enter and exit the Gaza Strip.
This border, connecting Gaza to Egypt, has seen limited access since Israeli forces captured it in May 2024.
While the crossing was initially planned to reopen during a hostage exchange in the fall, Israel delayed granting full control until last week’s discovery of Ran Gviri’s body, which coincided with the release of all prisoners.
Now, European Union inspectors and local Palestinian personnel will manage the crossing, while Israeli officials will conduct security checks remotely.
Israeli sources indicate that the flow of traffic could be slow, with a limited allowance of 50 patients permitted to leave each day and an equal number allowed to return from abroad.
The WHO will oversee the transportation of patients from the Gaza region, which is governed by Hamas, across the Israeli military-controlled Yellow Line border.
More than 30,000 Gazans, who had either fled during conflicts or were outside the territory, have registered at the Palestinian embassy in Cairo, seeking to return to Gaza.
The reopening of the border marks the official start of the second phase of President Trump’s peace initiative, with his proposed “peace commission” taking charge of Gaza until a council of Palestinian technocrats can be elected to govern.
How this peace commission integrates into Gaza remains uncertain, particularly as President Trump has broadened its role beyond the territory and many global leaders have declined his overtures.
Hamas has been hesitant to demilitarize during this phase, and has yet to announce any specific disarmament plans.
There are reports suggesting that Hamas may look to assimilate 10,000 police officers into a technocrat-led government, a move that Israel opposes.
Israel has cautioned that unless Hamas complies with disarmament, the ceasefire could collapse, leading to the resumption of conflict.
with post wire
