Israel has announced it will retain control over the Rafah border crossing connecting Egypt to the Gaza Strip for the initial phase of the ceasefire established with Hamas.
A declaration from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Wednesday refuted claims that the Palestinian Authority would oversee this critical crossing.
The ceasefire, which is currently in its fourth day, aims to provide respite to the war-torn region of Gaza for a duration of at least six weeks.
In an exchange involving 33 hostages held by Hamas, hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel are expected to be released.
According to the statement, European Union monitors will oversee operations at the crossing, which will be fortified with Israeli troops.
Israel will also be responsible for approving the movement of individuals and goods through Rafah.
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants infiltrated Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals, the majority being civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 people.
Currently, around 100 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, following the release, rescue, or recovery of others.
In the ongoing military actions, the Israeli campaign has reportedly claimed the lives of over 47,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health authorities, who indicate that women and children constitute more than half of those fatalities, although they do not specify how many were combatants.
Israel claims to have killed more than 17,000 militants, but has not provided substantiated evidence to support this figure.
In other news: the Houthi rebels from Yemen have announced the release of the crew from the commercial vessel Galaxy Leader, which they captured in November 2023 as part of their operations in the Red Sea corridor.
On Wednesday, the rebels confirmed the release of the sailors, which was facilitated through mediation efforts by Oman.
The crew consisted of 25 individuals hailing from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico.
The Iranian-aligned Houthi group had taken control of the ship due to its link to Israel, and subsequently initiated a series of hijackings of vessels in international waters, which ceased following the recent ceasefire amid the conflict involving Hamas in Gaza.
With regards to the Rafah border crossing, the Israeli government confirmed their intention to stay in control while the ceasefire with Hamas remains in effect.
A new statement clarified that Palestinian individuals, not associated with Hamas and approved by Israeli security, would only perform the task of stamping passports at the crossing.
This approval is essential under international agreements, indicating that such a stamp represents the sole method by which Gazans can leave the Strip to enter or connect with other nations.
It was noted that Israeli forces would continue to surround the crossing, and all movement of people and goods would need prior approval from Israeli authorities.
The Gaza side of the Rafah crossing was captured by Israel last May, which resulted in a closure that necessitated negotiations involving Egypt, a critical mediator for over a year leading to the present ceasefire.
Egypt has insisted that Palestinians should control the operations on the Gaza side of the crossing.
In a positive development, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Gaza reported that aid is flowing efficiently into the region.
According to the U.N., nearly 900 vehicles laden with aid crossed into Gaza on the third day of the ceasefire, exceeding the anticipated 600 trucks detailed in the ceasefire agreement.
Muhannad Hadi, who returned to Jerusalem on Tuesday afternoon from Gaza, expressed that witnessing Palestinians on the streets with a renewed sense of hope was one of the most gratifying moments of his extensive humanitarian career.
During his interactions with families at a communal kitchen operated by the U.N. World Food Program, he found that while they needed assistance, many expressed a strong desire to return to work and support their families independently.
“They are not fond of relying on humanitarian aid,” Hadi remarked.
Residents also conveyed the urgency of resuming their children’s education and expressed a need for basic necessities, such as shelter, blankets, and new clothes for women who have worn the same garments for over a year.
A shipment of tents is expected to arrive in the upcoming days to help fulfill the urgent needs.
