Thousands of Palestinians near the Rafah border are breathing cautious relief as the vital Gaza-Egypt crossing resumed operations this week following a 24-month closure. Egyptian authorities initiated a partial reopening on February 1, with full resumption of services achieved on February 2 – a development residents describe as 'a lifeline restored.'
In Al Arish, the closest Egyptian city to the crossing, families awaiting reunification with relatives in Gaza told KhabarAsia.com about the human toll of the prolonged closure. 'My sister’s children have grown two years older without us seeing them,' said Rami Abdel-Hadi, one of 85,000 registered applicants for cross-border permits.
While Egyptian officials confirm processing 400-500 daily crossings initially, demand far exceeds capacity. The reopening comes as regional stakeholders emphasize its importance for medical evacuations and economic recovery in Gaza. Analysts suggest the move could signal broader diplomatic shifts in Middle Eastern relations.
