Israel not providing any reason for rejecting those wanting to cross Rafah
There has been a surge in Israel’s military activities across Gaza in the past few hours. In Khan Younis, Israeli drones have been actively operating for the last 30 minutes, and they are concentrating over the central parts of the city.
Israel has been relying on a bizarre combination of military tactics that are also accompanied by clear political pressure, as well, showing the world that the Rafah crossing has been reopened. But on the ground, Israeli attacks are still ongoing without any respite.
Until now, Israel has not given any clarification regarding why it has been rejecting Palestinians from leaving or returning to Gaza, but we can see a blatant disparity in the numbers of people who have been allowed to leave Gaza and those who have recently returned.
This morning, more people are arriving in ambulances, waiting to leave.
Israel continues to block Palestinians from exiting Gaza via Rafah crossing
Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Khan Younis yesterday, said only 16 Palestinians were allowed to cross into Egypt via Rafah to seek medical treatment on Tuesday. That is far below the 50 Palestinians who Israeli officials said would be allowed to travel in each direction via the crossing.
A day earlier, only five people were permitted to leave, while 12 were allowed back into Gaza. About 150 people were due to leave the territory on Monday, and 50 were to enter, according to Egyptian officials.
“There is no explanation as to why crossings are being delayed at Rafah,” Khoudary said. “The process is taking extremely long.” The crossing, which is Gaza’s only gateway to the outside world that does not lead to Israel, had been largely closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024.
Evacuations via Rafah crossing cancelled for today: Red Crescent
Raed al-Nims, spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), says the organisation was informed this morning that the evacuation of patients and wounded via the Rafah crossing has been cancelled for today.
“Unfortunately, a few minutes ago, we were … informed that the evacuation process for today has been cancelled,” he told Al Jazeera from Khan Younis.
He said the procedure should have seen sick and wounded arrive at the Red Cross Society hospital for preliminary medical checkups before being transferred by ambulance to the Rafah crossing, then to Egyptian hospitals or elsewhere.
Israel claims Rafah crossing open ‘as usual’
COGAT, the Israeli military agency that controls aid to Gaza, has claimed that the Rafah crossing “has opened this morning as usual”.
“The World Health Organization (@WHO), which is responsible for coordinating the arrival of residents from the Gaza Strip to the Rafah Crossing, has not submitted the required coordination details at this stage for procedural reasons,” COGAT said in a post on X.
“Once the coordination details are submitted as agreed upon, the transfer of patients and their companions into Egypt via the Rafah Crossing will be facilitated.”
