Hamas hails reopening of Rafah crossing as big gain

Senior Hamas official Taher Al-Nunu said on Sunday that the Rafah crossing is crucial for alleviating Gaza’s severe humanitarian crisis.

He called for the entry of heavy machinery, and caravan homes to improve living conditions in the territory.

Al-Nunu said Zionist regime was pursuing a policy of collective punishment and forced displacement against Palestinians in Gaza.

The crossing, seized by Israeli forces in May 2024 and largely shut since then, began a trial phase on Sunday for pedestrian movement only, with fuller operations expected starting Monday under strict Israeli security oversight, coordination with Egypt, and European Union supervision.

Zionist regime’s authorities confirmed the pilot testing and stated that residents would begin crossing in both directions from Monday, subject to prior security clearance.

Initial allowances focus on medical evacuations, prioritizing around 15,000–20,000 injured and sick Palestinians needing treatment abroad, along with limited returns for those displaced during the war.

Ambulances lined up on the Egyptian side, and officials indicated daily capacities starting with about 150–200 people leaving including patients and escorts and around 50 returning.

Al-Nunu stressed that Hamas is making "serious efforts" to expedite the crossing's full functionality and counter Israeli pretexts delaying it.

He highlighted ongoing communication with the newly formed technocratic Gaza administration committee to lay groundwork for governance transition.

Denying any Hamas military activity at the crossing, Al-Nunu called for arrangements ensuring the safe evacuation of any trapped resistance fighters in Rafah tunnels, noting limited accurate information due to Israel’s refusal to facilitate their safe evacuation.

He urged priority for the entry of heavy machinery, caravans, housing repair materials, and other aid to improve living conditions in the devastated strip.

He emphasized that Israel has shown no interest in a ceasefire, using the war as a political tool ahead of its elections.

He underscored the urgent need for approximately 15,000 injured and sick individuals to seek treatment outside Gaza.

Al-Nunu called on the international community to put pressure on Israel to end its aggression and continued targeting of civilians.

Israeli authorities have announced plans to bar 37 aid groups from operating in Gaza. Human rights groups have warned that such measures further undermine humanitarian access in Gaza, where Israel's ongoing military offensive has devastated healthcare infrastructure and left the population increasingly dependent on international aid.

A two-year Israeli genocidal war has martyred nearly 71,800 Palestinians and wounded more than 171,480 others.

The genocidal war has destroyed roughly 90% of the civilian infrastructure in the coastal territory, with UN estimates placing reconstruction costs at about $70 billion.