Rafah Reopening: A Humanitarian Corridor or Control Mechanism?

25 more Palestinians returned to Gaza through the Rafah crossing at 3am local time, but their 20-hour journey from Egypt's El Arish tells a story far removed from humanitarian relief.

These returnees, the third batch since Monday's partial reopening, described facing "humiliating and insulting" Israeli security procedures. Their emotional reunions with family members at Nasser Hospital were tinged with shock at witnessing their homeland's devastation firsthand.

"The feeling is like being caught between happiness and sadness," said returnee Aicha Balaoui. "I'm happy to see my family, but I feel sad for my country after seeing the destruction."

A Crossing Under Siege

The Rafah crossing serves as the sole gateway for Gaza's 2.2 million residents, yet its "partial reopening" comes with stringent conditions that question its humanitarian purpose.

Only Palestinians who left Gaza during the war can return, and all travelers face rigorous security vetting. Palestinian women who returned earlier this week described having their hands bound, eyes covered, and being subjected to full body searches during interrogations.

The International Commission to Support Palestinian People's Rights (ICSPR) condemned these measures, saying they've turned Rafah "into a tool of control and domination rather than a humanitarian passage."

Medical Evacuations: Promises vs. Reality

While 13 Palestinian patients were transferred for medical treatment abroad on Thursday, this number falls dramatically short of the 50 patients daily promised in the ceasefire agreement.

At the current pace, it would take three years to evacuate the approximately 20,000 patients requiring treatment outside Gaza – an impossible timeline for those needing immediate care.

Gaza's healthcare system lies in ruins after Israel's assault, with 22 hospitals out of service and 1,700 medical workers killed, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Ceasefire in Name Only

Despite the crossing reopening, Israeli attacks continued across Gaza. Thursday marked one of the deadliest days since the October "ceasefire" began, with 23 Palestinians killed and another fatality in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis.

Israeli airstrikes targeted areas east of Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis, while Gaza City's Tuffah neighborhood faced artillery shelling. Residents found themselves "trapped" between staying near Israeli-controlled territory or facing displacement from their homes.

The Numbers Don't Add Up

Since Monday's reopening, only 75 Palestinians have returned through Rafah, while approximately 30 patients have been evacuated for medical treatment. These figures pale compared to the scale of need and the promises made in the ceasefire agreement.

The slow pace raises questions about whether this represents genuine humanitarian relief or a carefully controlled process designed to maintain Israeli oversight while providing minimal concessions.

International Implications

The restrictive nature of Rafah's reopening sends signals beyond Gaza's borders. For international observers, it demonstrates how humanitarian corridors can be weaponized as tools of control rather than genuine relief mechanisms.

The World Health Organization officials accompanying patients highlight the international community's involvement, yet their presence also underscores the complex bureaucracy required for basic humanitarian access.

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