Rafah border crossing: this is the last resort for Gaza residents

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On Wednesday, hundreds of people waited close together in front of the black metal fence at the Egyptian border. All with the same goal: pass the Rafah border crossing and escape the bloody war between Hamas and Israel.

It was the first time since the outbreak of war that the border crossing was opened, allowing hundreds of foreigners and Palestinians to leave the coastal strip otherwise closed by Israel.

The scenes that took place at the border crossing were therefore chaotic. AP News reporters reported that the mood on the ground was one of frustration, confusion and despair.

People pushed each other and pushed forward

According to the journalists, people’s fear of not making it was clearly noticeable – and the mood was accordingly heated. Some people pushed or shoved their way forward.

The Rafah border crossing is the last hope for Gaza Strip residents to escape the hail of Israeli bombs. But what is the border crossing about and why is it so essential?

Rafah is the only border crossing in Gaza not controlled by Israel. Before the Hamas attack, Israel had two border crossings with the Gaza Strip: Erez for passenger traffic and Kerem Shalom for freight traffic. But since the conflict flared up again, both have been closed. The Rafah border crossing is the only gateway to the outside world for people in the Gaza Strip.

Only those who have a permit are allowed to leave the country

The border crossing is located along a 12.8 kilometer long barbed wire fence that separates the Gaza Strip from Egypt’s Sinai desert. Egypt built the border fence after militants blew up fortifications on the border with Egypt, not far from Rafah, in 2008.

Since then, strict rules have been in place at the border crossing, which has only limited access on normal days. CNN reports this. Only those who can show proper permission are allowed to enter Egypt. The road there involves lengthy bureaucratic and security procedures. After you have received approval, it may take another 30 days before you can actually leave the country. Jason Shawa, an American resident of Gaza, confirmed this to CNN.

In addition, the border crossing is completely closed on many days of the year due to the security and political situation on the ground. The gates of Rafah have remained closed for 74 days this year.

Palestinians are abused at the border crossing

According to the report, travelers will be taken by bus from the Palestinian side of the border to the Egyptian side on the day of departure. Once you get there, you often have to wait hours for the Egyptian authorities to accept and process your visa applications.

According to Shawa, many travelers are also turned away. But that’s not all: Palestinians are regularly abused at the border crossing.

About 400 foreigners and Palestinians with dual nationality have now been able to leave the Gaza Strip for Egypt. However, this is only a small part of those wanting to leave the Gaza Strip: as the Foreign Ministry in Cairo announced on Thursday, 7,000 foreigners from 60 countries are still waiting to leave.

The ministry did not say how long the foreigners must leave the country or whether there had already been an agreement to open the Rafah border crossing. Another 200 foreigners were expected to leave on Thursday. (dzc)

Source: Blick