First Palestinian arrested at Rafah crossing since Israel reopened border

According to Gaza’s Border Crossings Authority, 25 Palestinians—including eight patients and 17 companions—left Gaza on Sunday, while 28 others entered. Returnees reported lengthy interrogations and temporary detention before being allowed to proceed.

Humanitarian concerns remain urgent: approximately 22,000 wounded and sick Palestinians need to leave Gaza for medical care amid the collapse of the territory’s health system. 

Before the war, hundreds of Palestinians crossed daily under arrangements managed by Gaza’s Interior Ministry and Egyptian authorities, without Israeli interference.

The Rafah crossing was expected to reopen during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10, 2025, but Israel did not implement this plan. 

Israel’s genocide since October 2023 left over 72,000 Palestinians dead, around 172,000 injured, and devastated nearly 90 percent of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure.