• Israel plans to reopen the Rafah crossing to allow Gazans to exit for medical treatment.
• Coordination with Egypt and supervision by the EU will oversee the crossing's operations.
• A significant number of patients in Gaza are awaiting evacuation for urgent medical care.
• The Rafah crossing has been mostly closed, impacting humanitarian aid delivery.

Israel has announced that the Rafah crossing, the main entry point for Gazans to exit into Egypt, will reopen in the coming days to facilitate the evacuation of residents in need of medical care. This opening aligns with the ceasefire agreement, with Israel's military arm, COGAT, specifying that it will be coordinated with Egyptian authorities and supervised by a European Union mission, similar to procedures established in previous ceasefire conditions, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

The reopening of the Rafah crossing is especially critical as over 16,500 patients in Gaza require urgent medical treatment that they cannot receive within the enclave. Many have expressed uncertainty about their futures, with Tamer al-Burai, a Gaza businessman, stating, "We have been waiting for the Rafah opening for months" and highlighting the potential for getting "proper treatment" in Egypt, according to BBC and Reuters.

The Israeli military has controlled the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing since May 2024, citing security concerns related to arms trafficking. Despite this, humanitarian actors, including UN agencies, have long pushed for its reopening to assist with the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, reflecting a broader commitment to supporting the peace plan outlined by U.S. President Donald Trump, which envisions the crossing's operation in both directions, according to Le Monde and BBC.

The strategic significance of the Rafah crossing cannot be overstated, as it serves not only as an exit point for Gazans but also as a crucial conduit for humanitarian aid entering the territory. Reports indicate that previously, the crossing was essential for daily supplies of food, fuel, and medical aid essential for survival, which have been severely limited amid ongoing conflict, according to Reuters and BBC.