Israel announced on Dec. 3 that the Rafah Crossing between Egypt and Gaza will be reopened in the coming days. The announcement came as Hamas transferred what it said was the body of one of the two remaining Israeli hostages taken on Oct. 7, 2023. “The crossing will be opened both ways when all of our hostages have been returned,” Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian told reporters, according to Reuters. Egypt, however, is demanding that the reopening of the gate be two-way, charging that the Israeli plan to not provide for the return of the Palestinians is a violation of the Gaza peace agreement
Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories says the move is “in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and the directives of the political echelon,” the Times of Israel reported this morning.
COGAT said that Palestinians will be able to leave Gaza via the Rafah Crossing in coordination with Egypt, after Israeli security approval, and under the supervision of a European Union delegation.
The UN estimates that some 16,500 Palestinians need medical treatment that they can’t get in Gaza.
