Israel will open the Rafah crossing to allow the evacuation of Palestinians to Egypt

Israel has announced that the Rafah crossing, at the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, will be opened soon, but exclusively for Palestinians who wish to leave the enclave. This decision does not involve the resumption of general traffic and does not allow the entry of humanitarian aid or the free movement of the population.

The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) specified that exiting through Rafah will require security approvals from Israel, in coordination with Egypt and under the supervision of the European Union. The measure is interpreted as an attempt to reduce the population in Gaza, in the context of a severe humanitarian situation and international pressure for safe access for civilians and aid.