Gaza Ministry of Health announced that the first group of patients and wounded will begin departing through the Rafah border crossing into Egypt starting today, Saturday.

 

This marks the first reopening of the crossing since its closure on May 7, 2024, following an "Israeli" military operation in Rafah that destroyed the crossing's infrastructure and led to "Israeli" control over the Salah al-Din axis, also known as the Philadelphi Corridor.

 

In a press statement, the ministry said it would phone patients and their companions to arrange travel procedures based on approved lists coordinated with relevant authorities.

 

It also noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) would oversee the transfer of the wounded to the Rafah border crossing for evacuation to Egyptian hospitals or other destinations.

 

Meanwhile, sources reported that the European mission had been at the crossing since Friday morning, preparing to resume operations under the 2005 border-crossing mechanism.

 

Under this agreement, the European mission will work alongside Palestinian Authority employees, with no Hamas-affiliated staff at the crossing, in line with the ceasefire terms brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

 

The 2005 border-crossing agreement, signed between the Palestinian Authority and "Israel", outlines the conditions for operating the crossing, including European oversight of movement in and out of Palestinian territories.