Rafah Border Crossing To Reopen For Evacuations Amid Rising Gaza Death Toll In Israel-Hamas Crisis

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is set to reopen for evacuations, local officials declared on Monday. This decision follows a two-day closure in response to an Israeli hit on an ambulance convoy in Gaza.

According to the Financial Times report, a spokesperson for the crossing announced that an unspecified number of Egyptians and foreigners would be permitted to leave. Their names were previously listed last week when exits were temporarily allowed amid the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.

On Monday, The Red Cross stated it had led a four-ambulance convoy transferring patients from Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to the crossing. The announcements come amid growing international pressure for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow aid into the besieged Gaza.

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Palestinian officials reported the death toll in Gaza had reached 10,022, following 24 hours of intense Israeli bombardments. Charity group ActionAid warned of severe food shortages and potentially life-threatening illnesses for 500,000 Gaza residents due to acute food and water scarcity.

Reports indicate that no evacuations took place over the weekend due to a lack of agreement among Hamas, Israel, and Egypt regarding the safe evacuation of patients from northern Gaza.

The reopening of Rafah comes amid increasing humanitarian concerns in Gaza. On Monday, South Africa joined a growing list of countries withdrawing their ambassadors from Israel in protest of the assault on Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Ankara on Monday, discussed Gaza’s humanitarian situation with his Turkish counterpart, expressing deep concern over the war’s toll on civilians.

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