Gaza government says 288 people crossed Rafah border since partial reopening
Gaza’s Government Media Office has said a total of 288 people out of an expected 1,800 have so far crossed the Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt in both directions since it was partially reopened on February 2, after Israel kept it closed for nearly two years.
Returnees who made their way back to Gaza described being subjected to humiliating searches and interrogations by the Israeli military, which controls the Palestinian side of the key crossing point.
More than 20,000 Palestinians are also in need of medical evacuation, the vast majority of whom have been unable to exit Gaza since the partial reopening.
UN calls for more Palestinians to be allowed to cross at Gaza’s Rafah
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres, says the world body wants to see more people having the opportunity to move voluntarily and safely in both directions, in and out of Gaza” at the Rafah crossing with Egypt.
Speaking to reporters at UN headquarters in New York, Dujarric said such crossings are especially important for Palestinians “who need to access emergency medical services”.
“We also hope to see the movement of cargo enabled through Rafah to increase the volume of humanitarian supplies and further expand the scale-up of humanitarian assistance,” he said.
Dujarric said the UN has helped facilitate the movement of “just over 220 people in each direction” since the Rafah crossing reopened in early February.
