Rafah Crossing: The Glimmer of Hope for Gazans Seeking Refuge from War

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have gathered in the southern part of the Gaza Strip amidst the looming possibility of an Israeli ground operation. However, it remains uncertain as to where they will be able to seek refuge. The coastal enclave is currently under a blockade imposed by Israel, both by land, air, and sea, as a response to a bold attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, resulting in the death of 1,400 individuals. Israel has also cut off the supply of vital resources such as water, electricity, food, and fuel, leaving the 2 million inhabitants of this impoverished territory in a state of helplessness.

The closure of the Rafah crossing, a border crossing with Egypt in the southern region, has been seen as the only remaining chance for Gazans to flee amidst the continuous bombardment by Israel. As a result, numerous Palestinians have started heading towards this crossing in hopes of finding refuge.

What is the situation at Rafah now?

The aid to Gaza remains halted as the crossing is currently closed. Efforts are being made by the United States to urge Egypt to create a humanitarian corridor for both Gaza's civilians and foreigners. However, Egypt has rejected the idea of accepting an influx of refugees and is instead demanding that Israel permits the delivery of aid to the people of Gaza.

On October 16, 2023, the southern Gaza Strip was struck by an Israeli air attack, resulting in billows of smoke. The Gaza health ministry reported that the death toll from Israeli strikes has now reached approximately 2,750 since Hamas's recent deadly attack on southern Israel. In addition, around 9,700 people have been injured as Israel continues its ongoing air campaign on targets in the Hamas-controlled Palestinian coastal enclave. The provided image captures the aftermath of the Israeli air strike in Rafah. (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Said Khatib/AFP/Getty Images

They followed evacuation orders. An Israeli airstrike killed them the next day.

The issue of opening the border is complex due to the involvement of multiple parties. Approval from Egypt and Hamas, who oversee the crossing, as well as Israel, who has been conducting airstrikes in Gaza, including near Rafah, is necessary. Egypt has requested guarantees that Israel will refrain from bombing aid convoys.

There have been several airstrikes near the Rafah Crossing since the beginning of the war, including one on Tuesday. When questioned about the bombings, Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), stated that they will respond to any movement from Hamas targets.

Dozens of trucks are currently stationed on the Egyptian side of the crossing, eagerly anticipating entry into Gaza. Egypt has recently stated that no advancements have been made regarding its opening, while Israel has uniformly refuted the existence of any arrangements for its access.

Why is the crossing so important right now?

The Rafah Crossing, situated in the northern part of Sinai in Egypt, serves as the only border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. It is situated alongside an 8-mile (12.8-kilometer) fence that acts as a barrier between Gaza and the Sinai desert.

Over the course of the past 70 years, Gaza has changed ownership multiple times. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, it came under the control of Egypt. However, during the 1967 war, Israel took control of Gaza and began relocating Jewish settlers there while significantly restricting the movement of Palestinian residents. In 2005, Israel withdrew their troops and settlers from the territory, allowing Hamas to seize control of the strip two years later.

Egypt and Israel have implemented stringent border controls on their respective territories, with Israel further imposing travel limitations by sea and air. Additionally, Israel has surrounded the region with a heavily fortified border fence.

Prior to the recent conflict, Israel operated two crossings with Gaza. The Erez crossing facilitated the movement of people, while the Kerem Shalom crossing was used for the transportation of goods. However, both crossings were subject to severe restrictions and have been closed since the outbreak of the war.

Following the closure of other entry points, the Rafah Crossing with Egypt now stands as the sole gateway for the territory to access the external world. As per United Nations data, an average of 27,000 individuals crossed the border monthly, starting from July. Throughout the year, the border remained open for 138 days and closed for 74 days, up until that specific month.

Closures frequently rely on the security and political circumstances in the area. Although the crossing is not directly controlled by Israel, Egypt's closures frequently align with Israel's implementation of stricter limitations on Gaza.

How has Rafah Crossing access changed over time?

Israel and Egypt entered into a peace treaty in 1982, resulting in Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, which it had seized from Egypt in 1967.

Following its withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Israel relinquished control of the Rafah Crossing, which was subsequently managed by the European Union in collaboration with Egyptian authorities until 2007 when Hamas took over Gaza.

Between 2005 and 2007, approximately 450,000 passengers utilized the crossing, averaging around 1,500 individuals per day.

After Hamas took control, Egypt and Israel imposed stricter regulations on the movement of goods and individuals in and out of the area. However, in 2008, militants destroyed the fortifications on the Egypt-Rafah border, leading to a substantial influx of at least 50,000 Gazans into Egypt to purchase essential provisions such as food, fuel, and other supplies.

Following the breach, Egypt implemented stricter security measures by sealing its barrier with barbed wire and metal barricades. As a result, the Rafah Crossing is now tightly controlled, imposing limited access and imposing lengthy bureaucratic and security processes on Palestinians seeking to cross into Egypt.

The entrance of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip on August 27.

Said Khatib/AFP/Getty Images

What is it usually like to cross the Rafah border?

On regular days, the movement through Rafah is significantly restricted, allowing only Gazans holding permits and foreign nationals to utilize it as a route to travel between Gaza and Egypt.

Individuals from Gaza who desire to cross the border often experience lengthy delays. Jason Shawa, a Palestinian American residing in Gaza but originally from Seattle, reports that the process has required a minimum of 30 days for him, with potential wait times extending up to three months.

To travel, individuals must obtain an exit permit from Hamas and an entry permit from Egypt. This involves submitting documents to a Hamas government office for the exit permit, and receiving a text message indicating the approved departure day, which may be up to three months later.

On the designated day, travelers are transported by bus from the Palestinian side to the Egyptian border. There, they endure lengthy waits as Egyptian authorities receive and process visa applications. Unfortunately, many travelers are denied entry, and mistreatment of Palestinians is a common occurrence at this stage, according to Shawa.

People carry children as they flee, following an Israeli strike on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on October 15.

Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images

Why is Egypt reluctant to open the crossing for Gazans?

Egypt, with its already large migrant population, is apprehensive about the possibility of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees entering its borders. Currently, over 2 million Palestinians reside in Gaza. In a recent statement, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi acknowledged that his country is making efforts to offer assistance, albeit with certain limitations.

"Although we understand and sympathize with the situation, it is important to approach the pursuit of peace and safety with caution and rational thinking, without incurring excessive costs," he cautioned.

Additionally, there is widespread fury regarding the notion of forcing the Gazan population into displacement once more, effectively transforming them into refugees. The majority of Gazans are classified as refugees by the United Nations, tracing their lineage to territories that currently belong to Israel.

Jordans King Abdullah criticized the usual suspects for attempting to create problems on the ground, suggesting their ulterior motive is to prevent any refugees from entering Jordan or Egypt. In response, Egypt has urged Israel to permit the entry of humanitarian aid through Rafah. However, Egypt has not complied with the US request to establish a secure passage for civilians within its own territory.

CNNs Nadeen Ebrahim contributed to this report.