Rafah: A trial operation of the Rafah border crossing, Gaza’s only gateway to the outside world on the border with Egypt, began on Sunday morning, marking its first reopening after more than a year and a half of near-total closure during the Israeli aggression.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Shadi Othman, media officer at the European Union office in Jerusalem, stated that the crossing is undergoing a trial operation to facilitate the movement of Palestinians to and from the Gaza Strip.
Othman, speaking to Voice of Palestine Radio, emphasized the primary objective at this stage is to ensure the crossing opens in both directions, allowing passengers to enter and exit smoothly. He highlighted that the legal reference governing the European Union’s role at the Rafah crossing is based on previous agreements, particularly the 2005 Agreement. The EU’s role focuses on monitoring to ensure the implementation of agreed standards.
Othman noted that the European Union had been present during previous periods when the crossing was opened, especially during the first truce, which allowed a number of residents to leave the Gaza Strip. The closure of the crossing had been in place since May 7, 2024, when the Israeli occupation army advanced into the Rafah land crossing and shut it down completely, leading to a halt in passenger movement and the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip.