Overview
- Only five Gaza patients and seven companions crossed into Egypt on the first day of the pilot reopening, and Al Jazeera reported just 16 more were allowed out on Tuesday.
- Roughly 20,000 people in Gaza are awaiting medical evacuation, including hundreds in critical condition, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and WHO.
- Multiple women who reentered Gaza described being blindfolded, handcuffed and interrogated for hours after crossing, and said most belongings were confiscated with only one bag permitted.
- Reuters reported the Abu Shabab militia, allied with Israel, stopped returnees before they were transferred to an Israeli-run screening point; the Israeli military said it was unaware of any mistreatment.
- Movement is governed by a multilayer screening system involving Egyptian registration, Shin Bet vetting, EU and Palestinian Authority monitors, and an Israeli identification and screening facility, far under the stated daily target of 50 in each direction.