Gaza border reopening long awaited by stranded Palestinians

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt is due to reopen after being closed since mid‑2024 under a delayed clause of last year’s ceasefire deal; many Palestinians stranded on both sides hope to reunite with family or travel for urgent medical care while details of how crossings will operate remain unclear.

Gaza's Rafah crossing is scheduled to reopen after being closed since summer 2024, a delayed part of the ceasefire agreement reached in October. Palestinians stranded on both sides have waited months for a chance to return home, reunite with relatives or travel for urgent medical treatment. Israel continues to control Gaza's frontier, and officials have not yet provided full details about how crossings will operate. Many people affected report damaged homes and long separations from family. Key facts: - The Rafah crossing has been closed since mid‑2024 and is slated to reopen as part of the October ceasefire arrangement. - How fully crossings will resume and the specific conditions for travel remain unclear, with Israel retaining control over Gaza’s border. - Thousands of people have registered to travel for medical treatment; Gaza’s health ministry reported at least 20,000 patients awaiting evacuation and the World Health Organization has registrations for many seeking care. - Some individuals have waited for months to cross, and the reporting includes at least one death of a patient who was waiting for placement on the crossing list. Summary: The reopening could allow people separated by the closed border to reunite and could enable some medical evacuations. Undetermined at this time is how many crossings will operate, under what conditions, and how quickly travel will be processed.