Gazans in Egypt await the opening of the Rafah crossing: details of the crisis
Thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, currently stranded in Egypt, are living in a state of intense anticipation and growing anxiety, awaiting any official news regarding the full and permanent reopening of the Rafah border crossing. This situation is compounded by the dire humanitarian conditions faced by those stranded, separated from their families and homes, including patients who have completed their medical treatment, students, and travelers who left to attend to their needs before the political and security developments disrupted the crossing.
The importance of the Rafah crossing: the only lifeline
The Rafah crossing holds paramount strategic importance as the only land crossing into the Gaza Strip not under direct Israeli control, making it the lifeline for the besieged territory. Historically, since the imposition of the tight blockade on Gaza in 2007, the crossing has become a barometer of the tension or détente in political and security relations between Palestinian factions, Egypt, and Israel. While the operation of the crossing has always been governed by complex agreements, most notably the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access, the reality on the ground often dictates different equations depending on the security situation in Sinai and the Gaza Strip.
The suffering of those stranded and the humanitarian crisis
The current crisis is not merely about the desire to return home; it extends to dire humanitarian and economic dimensions. Many Gazans stranded in Egypt are suffering from dwindling financial resources due to the unexpectedly long waiting period, in addition to the expiration of their residency permits or visas in some cases, placing them in a precarious legal and living situation. There is also significant anxiety about the fate of their families inside the Gaza Strip given the current circumstances, further exacerbating their psychological distress. Human rights and international organizations are appealing for the separation of humanitarian cases from political disputes and for the facilitation of their return.
Regional and international dimensions
Regionally, Egypt plays a pivotal role in managing this issue, as Cairo seeks to balance its national security considerations in the Sinai Peninsula with its historical role as a supporter of the Palestinian cause and a key mediator in de-escalation efforts. Egypt faces pressures and challenges related to the operational mechanisms of the crossing, particularly concerning the entry of humanitarian and relief aid into the Gaza Strip, and the exit of the wounded and holders of foreign passports. Internationally, the Rafah crossing remains a focal point in diplomatic discussions, with the United Nations and relief organizations pressing for its continued operation as a vital supply line for food, medicine, and fuel, warning that continued closure or restrictions on movement could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe within the densely populated Gaza Strip.
