The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has failed to open for foreign nationals, causing hundreds of people with foreign passports to be stranded at the border. The halt in foreign exit from Gaza is apparently due to a dispute over the evacuation of injured patients. Palestinian sources have reported that no foreign nationals, dual nationals, or injured patients were allowed through the crossing on Saturday. The authorities on the Palestinian side of the crossing stated that movement for people with foreign passports will not be allowed until an agreement is reached regarding the safety of transferring injured patients. The exact reason behind the halt in foreign exit remains unclear as no official statement has been released by the authorities.
The Rafah border crossing is a crucial exit point from Gaza and connects it to Egypt’s Sinai peninsula. It was opened on Wednesday to allow civilians to leave Gaza for the first time since the war began in October. In the ongoing conflict, Hamas gunmen launched an assault on southern Israel leading to the death of over 1,400 people. In response, the Israeli military initiated a massive bombing campaign on Gaza, imposed a “complete siege,” and recently launched a ground assault on the northern part of the strip. The death toll in Gaza has reached 9,488 according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Foreign citizens attempting to leave Gaza have faced various challenges, including limited fuel supplies which have made reaching the border difficult. On Saturday, many individuals arrived at the crossing on donkey carts due to the shortage of fuel. In addition to allowing the exit of foreigners, the Rafah crossing is also the sole point of entry for humanitarian aid. However, Israel has been blocking fuel shipments since the beginning of the war, leading to a shortage of electricity and calls from UN agencies to allow fuel supplies for basic services. US special envoy David Satterfield mentioned that there is an agreed mechanism to replenish fuel in Gaza when it runs out.
The situation at the Rafah border crossing intensified on Friday when an ambulance transporting an injured person was hit near Gaza City’s main hospital. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported 15 casualties in this incident. The Israeli military claimed that several Hamas fighters were killed and alleged that Hamas was using ambulances to transfer militants and weapons, although no evidence has been provided to support these claims.
The halt in foreign exit from Gaza via the Rafah border crossing raises concerns over the safety and well-being of individuals who are seeking to leave. It also highlights the challenges faced by humanitarian agencies in delivering aid to the strip. The lack of clarity regarding the reasons for halting foreign exit adds to the uncertainty and tension in the region. This development will likely have significant impacts on the ongoing conflict, international relations, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
