GAZA’S Rafah border crossing has reopened to Palestinians, an Israeli security official said, with 150 people due to leave the territory on Monday and 50 allowed to enter, according to Egyptian authorities.

The resumption of operations comes after Gaza’s civil defence reported dozens killed in a wave of Israeli strikes over the weekend, in what the military said was retaliation for Palestinian fighters exiting a tunnel in Rafah city.

The border crossing with Egypt is Gaza’s only gateway to the outside world that does not lead to Israel and is a key access point for both people and goods.

Mahmud, a 38-year-old leukaemia patient from Gaza City, told AFP he felt lucky to be able to travel to Egypt for treatment, after receiving approval from Israel to go with his sister.

“In Gaza, (there is) no treatment and no life... of course, I am lucky, but I am still sad because my father and mother are still in Gaza,” he said.

Ali Shaath, the head of a Palestinian technocratic committee established to oversee the day-to-day governance of Gaza, said Monday that Rafah’s reopening offered a “window of hope” for people in the territory.

Israeli forces seized control of the crossing in May 2024 during the war with Hamas, and it has remained largely closed since. A partial resumption of operations began on Sunday in a tightly restricted pilot phase that did not involve travel of people, following months of appeals from aid groups.

“The Rafah crossing has now opened to the movement of residents, for both entry and exit,” the Israeli official said.Three Egyptian border officials told AFP that 150 Palestinians would be allowed into Egypt on Monday, composed of 50 patients each accompanied by two companions.

Another 50 Palestinians would be allowed to enter Gaza, the officials said. Khaled Mogawer, governor of North Sinai — which includes the Egyptian side of Rafah — said on Egyptian state-linked AlQahera News that 50 Palestinian patients and 84 companions were expected to enter Egypt on Monday.

Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported that the crossing would be open for about six hours daily, while AlQahera News said the Egyptian side would remain open “round the clock”.

AFP