The Rafah crossing has recently gained international attention as the first civilians from the Gaza Strip were permitted to cross into Egypt since the onset of the Israel-Gaza conflict. On Wednesday, ambulances carried dozens of critically injured Palestinians and hundreds of foreign passport holders passed through this crucial border point. Egypt has stated it will initially allow over 80 injured individuals and more than 500 foreign and dual nationals to enter, a deal reportedly facilitated by Qatar. This marked the first evacuation of its kind since the conflict escalated over three weeks prior. While the duration of the border’s openness remains uncertain, it has served as a vital conduit for aid into Gaza for over ten days, with more than 200 trucks crossing so far, though significantly more assistance is urgently needed. But What Is Rafah crossing and why has it become such a focal point?
Understanding the Rafah Crossing: Geography and Significance
The Rafah crossing is the primary southern gateway out of Gaza, bordering Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Within the Gaza Strip, there are only two other border crossings: Erez, leading into Israel in northern Gaza, designed for pedestrian traffic, and Kerem Shalom, situated in southern Gaza, which serves exclusively for commercial goods entering from Israel. Currently, both Erez and Kerem Shalom are closed, underscoring Rafah’s unique and critical role. This geographical context positions Rafah not just as a border crossing, but as a potential lifeline, especially during periods of conflict or heightened restrictions on movement.
Image alt text: Foreign passport holders and injured Palestinians await processing at the Rafah border crossing on the Gaza side, hoping to enter Egypt.
Rafah’s Emergence as Gaza’s Lifeline Amid Conflict
The significance of the Rafah crossing has been dramatically amplified by recent events. On October 7th, gunmen from Hamas, the militant group governing Gaza, launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, including an assault on the Erez crossing, resulting in over 1,300 fatalities in Israel. In response, Israel declared the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings closed indefinitely. This action effectively isolated Gaza from Israel, leaving Rafah as the sole point of entry and exit for people and, crucially, for humanitarian aid. In this context, what is Rafah crossing transforms from just a border point to the essential artery for survival for the people of Gaza.
The Functionality and Recent Events at the Rafah Crossing
Control over the Rafah crossing is jointly exercised by Hamas and Egypt. However, operations have been significantly disrupted due to the intense Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, launched in retaliation for the Hamas assault. Egyptian media reported the crossing’s closure following three Israeli strikes on October 9th and 10th, which purportedly caused injuries on both the Egyptian and Palestinian sides of the border. On October 12th, the Egyptian government appealed to Israel to cease strikes near Rafah to allow it to function as a “support lifeline” for Gaza’s population. Egypt also conveyed its reluctance to fully open the passage without safety guarantees for its personnel.
Three weeks later, reports emerged of a Qatar-mediated agreement to allow some individuals to leave Gaza, leading to gatherings at the border. Reuters news agency indicated that Qatar has been instrumental in facilitating talks between Egypt, Israel, and Hamas, in coordination with the United States. This agreement paved the way for the recent evacuation of critically injured individuals and foreign passport holders. Qatar’s role is notable as it hosts the political leadership of Hamas, maintaining an office in Doha since 2012.
Image alt text: Humanitarian aid convoy positioned on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing, prepared to enter Gaza with essential supplies.
Restrictions and Normal Usage of the Rafah Crossing
Since Hamas assumed control of Gaza in 2007, both Israel and Egypt have imposed restrictions on the movement of goods and people in and out of the territory, citing security concerns. Israel’s defense minister further tightened these measures on October 9th, in response to the Hamas attack, declaring a “complete siege” on Gaza, cutting off electricity, food, and fuel.
Egypt’s apprehensions extend to a potential mass influx of Palestinian refugees and the risk of Islamist militants infiltrating the country, recalling a decade-long jihadist insurgency in Sinai. President of Egypt cautioned on October 12th that a mass exodus from Gaza could jeopardize the Palestinian cause, urging Palestinians to “remain steadfast on their land.”
Under normal circumstances, exiting Gaza through Rafah is not straightforward for Palestinians. Individuals seeking to use the crossing are required to register with Palestinian authorities two to four weeks in advance and can still be denied passage by either Palestinian or Egyptian authorities, often without detailed explanations. UN data from August 2023 indicates that Egyptian authorities permitted 19,608 exits from Gaza but denied entry to 314 individuals, highlighting the variable and often restrictive nature of the Rafah crossing’s operations even before the current crisis.
Image alt text: Geopolitical map illustrating the designated evacuation route for individuals leaving Gaza through the Rafah crossing and entering Egypt.
Conclusion: The Critical Role of Rafah
In conclusion, what is Rafah crossing is more than just a border point; it is a critical artery for the Gaza Strip, particularly during crises. While normally subject to restrictions, its importance has surged as the sole gateway for humanitarian aid and limited evacuations amidst the ongoing conflict. The crossing’s functionality remains precarious, influenced by geopolitical negotiations, security concerns, and the ever-evolving dynamics of the Israel-Gaza situation. Its role as a lifeline underscores the urgent need for sustained humanitarian access and peaceful resolutions to the broader conflict impacting the region.
