Why is the Rafah crossing important to Gaza? Who can use it now?

Almost three weeks into the brutal war between Israel and Hamas (it’s Day 27), the crucial Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened on Wednesday (1 November), allowing the evacuation of dozens of injured Palestinians requiring hospital treatment and hundreds of foreign passport holders. According to Egyptian officials, 76 wounded Palestinians and 335 foreigners or dual-nationals were allowed to cross from the war-torn and heavily battered Gaza Strip – a first crossing of civilians since the heavily populated enclave was placed under a total siege by the Israeli forces. A security source told AFP: “The Rafah terminal will open again on Thursday to allow the passage of more foreigners and dual citizens.” The evacuations took place even as Israeli forces continued their heavy bombardment of the Strip as they continued their vow of “wiping out Hamas”. On Wednesday, as part of their offensive, Israel also bombed Jabalia , Gaza’s largest refugee camp, killing at least 50 people and injuring another 150. Israel said it killed a Hamas commander in the attack. As this war continues, ravaging the lands and claiming lives, we take a closer look at what is the Rafah crossing and why is it important? What is the Rafah crossing? Rafah is located on the border between Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Gaza. As per BBC, it is the southernmost exit point from Gaza. It is the only crossing with Gaza not under the control of Israel. As per NDTV, the border between Palestine and Egypt was formalised by the Ottoman-British agreement of 1 October 1906. The border was established from Taba to Rafah. Then, in 1979, a landmark peace treaty between Israel and Egypt that established full diplomatic relations after decades of strife restored the border to its 1906 antecedent. Under this treaty, Egypt got the Sinai Peninsula and Israel held on to Gaza. Israeli troops also vacated the peninsula. Shortly after, the Rafah crossing was for the first time opened as an international border. As per The Guardian, Egypt administers the Rafah border under the terms of its agreement with Israel. However, any aid going from Egypt across the Rafah border into Gaza requires the assent of Israeli authorities. [caption id=“attachment_13332762” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at Rafah, Gaza Strip. Wednesday was the first time that the crossing was opened, allowing wounded and dual nationals to leave the besieged territory. AP[/caption] Why is it important? Because with Gaza being bombarded by Israel, this is potentially the only safe place for Palestinians to go. As the piece in The Guardian notes, “Rafah is where most Palestinians attempt to acquire permission to exit Gaza if they are able.” However, leaving Gaza is no mean feat. “Most people born in the territory, however, have never left the 365 square kilometres that make up the territory,” the piece adds. As per BBC, those wishing to cross the Rafah border must register with the local Palestinian authorities between two and four weeks in advance. Applications can be rejected by either Palestinian or Egyptian authorities without much warning or explanation. Egypt in August allowed 19,608 departures from Gaza and denied entry to 314 people. [caption id=“attachment_13332772” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A child looks through glass, as Palestinians with dual citizenship wait at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in the hope of getting permission to leave Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters[/caption] How was the opening negotiated? Until Wednesday, the Rafah crossing had remained closed and Egypt had not allowed for people to leave. Egypt, which already hosts millions of migrants, had expressed uneasiness about the prospect of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees crossing into its territory. More than 2 million Palestinians live in Gaza. Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had said recently his country is trying to help – within limits. However, Qatar brokered an agreement between Egypt, Israel and Hamas, along with the United States, reports Reuters. Following the negotiations, it was reported that more than 80 wounded Palestinians would enter Egypt for medical treatment. Furthermore, it was negotiated that dual nationals in Gaza who have foreign passports would be allowed to leave. According to the arrangements put in place by Cairo, the embassies of those people being allowed to cross have been informed in advance. [caption id=“attachment_13332782” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] While it is unknown how long will the crossing be opened, an Egyptian official said that it would allow more nationals to leave today (2 November). AP[/caption] Who’s left using the crossing as of now? A number of wounded have been shifted from Gaza to Egypt under this new agreement. Human rights activists hope that this will further allow more people to shift from the terror of the constant and fierce bombardment taking place in the Gaza Strip. Besides the wounded, dual nationals have also left Gaza. According to Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani, four Italians were among those who left on Wednesday. “I just spoke with the first four Italians to leave the Gaza Strip. They are tired but in good health, assisted by the Italian consul in Cairo. We continue to work to get everyone else out,” he said. France also announced that five of their nationals had left the besieged territory and that they would “continues efforts so that all compatriots, our staff, and their families who wish to do so can leave Gaza as soon as possible”. Two Médecins Sans Frontières doctors from the Philippines had also left, said a report by The Guardian. Following claims that no US citizens had left, it emerged later that three US citizens working for international organisations had crossed. On Wednesday evening the UK Foreign Office said a first group of British nationals had entered Egypt. The foreign secretary, James Cleverly, called the crossing “a hugely important first step”. “We are working with Egyptian and Israeli authorities to ensure the crossing stays open so all British nationals can get to safety in the coming days,” he wrote on the social media platform X. With inputs from agencies