Israelis restrict return of Palestinians to Gaza through Rafah: Source
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The Israeli occupation is restricting the return of Palestinians to Gaza after they left through Rafah for treatment.
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Ambulance workers wait for patients and injured Palestinians from Gaza cross through the Rafah border crossing, Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 (AP)
Israeli forces have deployed around one kilometer from the Rafah border crossing and are preventing Palestinians from returning to Gaza through the crossing, a Palestinian official told Al Mayadeen on Sunday.
The official stated that the Israeli occupation rejected any presence of what they described as "Hamas-affiliated employees" at the crossing and insisted that no symbols of Palestinian sovereignty, such as the Palestinian flag, be displayed.
Currently, a small team of Palestinian Authority employees is managing operations at Rafah under the supervision of European Union representatives, the official added. The crossing is primarily being used to facilitate the evacuation of 100 patients and wounded individuals for medical treatment in Egypt, along with 50 other humanitarian cases.
The European Union resumed its civil monitoring mission at the Rafah crossing on January 31. At the time, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the mission would support Palestinian border staff and help facilitate the movement of individuals out of Gaza, particularly those in need of medical care.
Wounded travel to Rafah
50 wounded and sick individuals from the Gaza Strip, accompanied by their companions, traveled through the Rafah crossing on Saturday as part of the first batch to pass since the crossing was fully closed in May 2024.
Egyptian media reported that preparations are underway to receive Palestinian casualties, with buses being arranged to transport them to the Rafah crossing through the World Health Organization.
It is noteworthy that the ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian Resistance and the Israeli occupation, effective since January 19, 2025, stipulates the daily travel of 50 patients and wounded individuals through the Rafah crossing.
According to the agreement, the Rafah crossing will operate under the supervision of the European Union Security Mission (EUBAM), alongside Palestinian employees from Gaza who are not affiliated with Hamas.
EU to resume monitor of Rafah crossing
On that note, the European Union announced Friday the resumption of its civilian mission to monitor the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, as confirmed by the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
Earlier this week, North Sinai Governor Khaled Mojawer announced that the Rafah border crossing will reopen to receive injured and sick Palestinians for treatment in Egyptian hospitals.
Speaking at a press conference near the Rafah crossing during his visit on Tuesday, Mojawer stated that "the Egyptian side of the crossing is 1000% ready," while the Palestinian side will be operational within days, as repair works are underway following damage caused during the Israeli war on Gaza.
He noted that a European Union delegation would monitor the crossing on the Palestinian side in coordination with Palestinian authorities, whereas the Egyptian side would remain under full Egyptian control.
