Rafah crossing, the only lifeline for Gaza, reopens once again

For a second day in a row, dozens of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid poured through the Rafah-based Kerem Shalom crossing into the besieged coastal enclave, bringing some hope to the Palestinian residents after more than eight months of an enforced closure by Israel.

Early Sunday, traffic gradually moved at the entrance to the Rafah crossing, the only border point between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, right after a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel took effect at 08:10 a.m. local time in Gaza to stop a 15-month genocidal war. 

According to a Palestinian official at the Rafah crossing, who preferred not to remain anonymous, around 660 trucks loaded with aid entered the Gaza Strip during the 24 hours. Out of the total trucks, 300 were sent to the north of the coastal enclave. 

The official told The New Arab that “it is expected that more 600 trucks will arrive soon,” saying that “such a number of trucks of aid would release the human deterioration in Gaza after a few days.” 

He stressed that work is underway to facilitate the entry of more aid to meet the dire needs of the Palestinians in the Strip, adding that the trucks included fuel, medical supplies, food supplies, and vegetables and fruits.

Meanwhile, he said that hundreds of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid continue to line up in front of the Rafah crossing, waiting to enter Gaza in the coming days.

‘We’ve waited for so long’

The new developments have encouraged some hope for the people of Gaza after a genocidal war by Israel that lasted for more than 15 months. Palestinian families hope that it will be the beginning of a period of relief after months of misery and pain.

“These trucks are not just aid; they are the beginning of a new life after months of pain and death,” Raed Nassar, a Palestinian man based in Rafah, told TNA. 

“We have waited so long. This aid means my family will get its basic needs of food and medical supplies,” the 45-year-old father of four said. 

The Rafah crossing is the only window to the world for Palestinians and is a symbol of hope in Gaza. 

When the Israeli army closed it last May, the locals in Gaza have been suffering as they became living in a big prison without having any chance to survive. 

Palestinian patients noted to TNA that they cannot leave the Rafah crossing for treatment as long as it remains closed.

“In Gaza, there are thousands in dire need of an exit, especially given the collapse of the health system,” Ismail Thawabta, the head of the government media office, told TNA. 

“It is essential to re-open the border for patients, students and individuals in Gaza to pass it for their needs,” he added.

“We hope the ceasefire agreement will hold, but we have learned from previous experiences that [Israel] could violate the agreement at any moment,” Amina Jalal, in Deir al-Balah, remarked to TNA. 

Palestinian residents also noted that while the trucks continue to transport aid to Gaza, the challenges are significant, with destroyed streets, demolished homes, and thousands of families devastated by Israel’s war. Many stressed that “the war is not over yet”.

Complex mechanisms

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said that it has 4,000 trucks loaded with aid, half of which carry food and flour, ready to enter the Gaza Strip.

“The agency continues to work in Gaza despite the Israeli ban on its operations, which will come into effect on January 30, 2025,” the UNRWA added on its account on X. 

In the same context, the World Health Organisation announced plans to introduce hospitals ready to support the devastated health sector in Gaza over the next two months.

The transfer of aid was carried out using a complex mechanism: the trucks had been waiting in front of the Egyptian Rafah crossing since the early hours of the morning before they were allowed to enter the Palestinian side and pass through a border road to the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is supervised by the Israeli authorities to examine them, before allowing them to cross into the Strip after careful security procedures.

The mechanism by which the crossing will operate and the parties that will supervise are not explicitly clear yet, as Israel opposes any responsibility for Hamas at the crossing. Talks are underway to have the Palestinian Authority play a role at the crossing with the help of international observers.

Informed Palestinian sources also noted to TNA that the European Union will technically supervise the management of the land crossing, which will be opened after seven days of calm for the exit of patients and the wounded.

The sources added that 50 patients would leave daily through the Kerem Shalom gate, while their place of residence will be inside Israel, there will be no interference from Hamas in the operation of the crossing.

After the Israeli army withdraws from the Philadelphi Corridor in the second phase, those who were stranded will be allowed to return to Gaza with the approval of three parties [Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and the European Union] by submitting a prior request to the Palestinian embassy in Cairo.

According to the sources, everyone who travels from Gaza will do so through a mechanism that will be ready when the Rafah crossing is ready.

On Thursday, a delegation from the Palestinian Authority arrived in Cairo and held meetings with Egyptian intelligence about operating the crossing during the first phase of the ceasefire.

The delegation is headed by Nazmi Mohanna, the Director General of Crossings and Borders in the Palestinian Authority, and Ayman Qandil, Deputy Minister Hussein Al-Sheikh for Civil Affairs.

Meanwhile, a high-level delegation from the European Union arrived in Cairo on Monday and met with Nazmi Mohanna and Egyptian intelligence to discuss reopening the Rafah border.