EXPLANER
The Gaza-Egypt border was opened today for a limited evacuation, allowing just under 500 people to flee war-torn Gaza.
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened Wednesday, allowing limited evacuations from the besieged enclave to Egypt after nearly four weeks of Israeli war.
The opening could see up to 491 people enter Egypt. Around 9:48 a.m. local time (07:48 GMT), people were already streaming to the Palestinian side of the crossing.
Two hours later, Al Jazeera correspondents on the ground reported scenes of chaos as people jostled to get through, angry that their calls to embassies and government officials went unanswered.
Before 1500 GMT, the General Authority for Crossings in Gaza told Al Jazeera that 76 injured Palestinians and their companions had so far crossed the Egyptian border via the Rafah border crossing, in addition to 335 foreign passport holders.
This opening took place the day after the Israeli bombing of the Jabalia refugee camp, which killed more than 50 people, according to Gaza health authorities. The war has now claimed the lives of more than 8,700 Palestinians, including more than 3,500 children.
What is the Rafah crossing?
The Rafah border crossing connects Gaza to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Located at the southern end of the strip, it currently constitutes the only way out of the besieged enclave. This is the first time the terminal has been open since the start of the war on October 7.
The two other crossings that connect Gaza to Israel – Beit Hanoun (called Erez by Israel), for people, and Karem Abu Salem (called Kerem Shalom by Israel) for commercial goods – have been closed since Hamas launched his blitzkrieg attack near Gaza. the border fence with Gaza, killing more than 1,400 Israelis.
U.S. efforts to persuade Egypt to allow safe passage for all Palestinians from Gaza have so far gone nowhere. However, over the past 11 days, Egyptian authorities have allowed more than 200 trucks carrying vital humanitarian supplies to pass through the Rafah crossing and enter Gaza.
How was the opening negotiated?
Qatar negotiated the deal between Egypt, Israel and Hamas, in coordination with the United States, according to a Reuters report.
The agreement would be separate from other ongoing discussions, notably on hostages still held by Hamas since its attack on Israeli territory last month.
The armed group is holding more than 230 people, including Israeli soldiers and civilians, as well as foreigners from many countries. So far, four have been released.
On Tuesday, a Hamas representative announced that the armed group would soon release “a certain number” of hostages.
The official list included the names of sick and injured people who were brought to the border in Palestinian ambulances. Egypt has set up a field hospital in Sinai, sending 10 ambulances to accommodate arrivals in Rafah.
Egyptian media reported that more than 80 injured Palestinians would enter Egypt for medical treatment.
How long will the border be open?
Although it is known that the evacuation will take place for a limited period of time, no timetable has been made public.
So far, only a few convoys carrying essential goods like food, water and medicine have been allowed to cross Rafah to reach the besieged enclave.
Who will be allowed to cross?
The Palestinian general authorities in charge of crossings and borders have listed a group of 491 people, some with dual nationality, others with foreign passports and still others, injured Palestinians, whom a group of countries have agreed to evacuate from Gaza.
There is no mention of US and UK nationals – although it is unclear whether citizens of these countries could have been included in the ICRC and NGO lists, which did not specify their nationalities.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – 7
NGOs – 57
Australia – 34
Austria – 33
Bulgaria – 37
Czech Republic – 4
Finland – 6
Indonesia – 6
Japan – 23
Jordan – 281
Palestinian – 3
