Israel Begins EU-Supervised Pilot Reopening of Rafah as Crossings Remain Minimal

Overview

• An AFP border source reported that 12 people — five wounded and seven companions — entered Egypt on the first full day, far below the anticipated daily limits.
• Passage is restricted to Gaza residents, requires prior Israeli authorization in coordination with Egypt, and is monitored by the EU border mission.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set a daily cap of 50 patients permitted to depart, with medical evacuations prioritized and limited returns permitted.
• Roughly 20,000 Palestinians are awaiting treatment abroad, while Egypt has readied 150 hospitals, 300 ambulances, 12,000 doctors and 30 emergency teams to receive patients.
• Israel ordered Médecins Sans Frontières to leave Gaza by Feb. 28 after a dispute over staff lists, and authorities have not announced any increase in aid via Rafah, with shipments still routed mainly through Kerem Shalom.