The Rafah Border Crossing is the only land crossing point between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Located at the southern tip of Gaza, in the city of Rafah, it opens to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. This gate, which has no direct connection to Israeli territory, is the only border crossing through which Gaza can connect with the outside world beyond Israel.

^{Rafah Border Crossinı (AA)}

History

The Rafah Border Crossing is a land border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, serving as one of the important passage points in the region. After the 1993 Oslo Accords, the border crossing remained under Israeli control. After Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, the management of the crossing was restructured through arrangements between the Palestinian Authority and Egypt. During this process, the European Union began operating through EUBAM Rafah, a border observation mission.

The 2006 elections in Palestine, won by Hamas, affected the political structure of the region, resulting in Hamas assuming de facto control over the Gaza Strip in 2007. Following this development, the European Union observation mission ceased its activities, and changes were made to the administrative practices of the Rafah Border Crossing. Since then, whether the border crossing is open or closed has largely depended on Egypt's political and security evaluations.

The internal political developments in Egypt after 2011 also affected the operation of the crossing. At various times, the border was opened for limited humanitarian reasons; however, it has also been kept closed for extended periods due to security concerns. In the 2020s, as humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip deepened, the Rafah Border Crossing frequently came to the forefront of international public attention in terms of delivering aid and carrying out evacuations.

Strategic and Humanitarian Significance

The Rafah Border Crossing carries great importance both strategically and humanitarily, as it is one of the limited passageways through which the Gaza Strip can connect with the outside world. This gate, without a direct border with Israel, is Gaza's only land connection with Egypt. With all other border crossings under Israeli control, the Rafah Border Crossing is the only alternative for exits from Gaza beyond Israel.

Population Movement

The ability of approximately 2 million residents of Gaza to travel abroad largely depends on the border being open. Especially students, business people, individuals wishing to visit family members living abroad, and patients needing medical treatment overseas must pass through this crossing. However, the irregularity of the border being open hinders the stable realization of such travels.

Medical Referrals and Access to Healthcare

The limited healthcare infrastructure in Gaza leads to some illnesses being untreatable locally. Therefore, the Rafah Border Crossing is critical for cancer patients, severely injured individuals, those awaiting organ transplants, and individuals with chronic illnesses to receive treatment in Egypt or other countries. Access to treatment is severely restricted during periods when the crossing is closed.

Humanitarian Aid and Material Entry

Due to land, air, and sea restrictions applied to the Gaza Strip, humanitarian aid materials, medicines, medical devices, and some basic necessities can only be delivered through limited means. The Rafah Border Crossing plays an important role, especially in the delivery of humanitarian aid convoys sent by Egypt to the region. The flow of such aid can be disrupted during periods when the crossing is closed.

Emergency and Wartime

During periods of armed conflict, the Rafah Border Crossing is often used for the evacuation of wounded individuals and foreign nationals from the region. Additionally, humanitarian organizations use this crossing to reach Gaza and address humanitarian crises arising from war conditions. Therefore, keeping the crossing open is essential not only for the local population but also for the sustainability of international aid operations.

Open-Closed Status

Whether the Rafah Border Crossing is open or closed largely depends on political developments and security conditions. The crossing operates according to periodic evaluations rather than being kept open on a regular schedule. This situation directly affects the daily lives of civilians in the Gaza Strip and access to humanitarian aid.

Egypt’s Security Policies

Egypt is one of the actors with direct say in the management of the Rafah Border Crossing. Especially Egypt's security operations and counter-terrorism strategies in the Sinai Peninsula are among the primary factors affecting the status of the border crossing. Following increased militant activities or attacks in Sinai, Egyptian authorities may choose to temporarily or permanently close the border crossing.

Political Developments

The operation of the Rafah Crossing is directly influenced by the relations between Hamas, the political authority in Gaza, and Egypt. Tensions or diplomatic openings in bilateral relations are important factors determining the duration the crossing remains open.

International Pressure and Humanitarian Reasons

Global reactions, calls from international organizations, and situations where humanitarian crises deepen can lead to the temporary opening of the Rafah Crossing. Initiatives by organizations such as the United Nations, Red Cross, and World Health Organization often result in the crossing being opened for humanitarian evacuations or aid shipments on specific days. However, such openings are often short-term and exceptional.

^{İnsani Yardım Tırları Refah Kapısından Geçerken (TRT Haber)}

Uncertainty in Practice

The lack of a clear and continuous schedule for the operation of the crossing creates uncertainty for individuals wishing to pass through. Announcements from Egyptian authorities are often short-term, with notifications for applications given on short notice. This especially complicates planning for civilians wanting to travel for reasons such as health, education, and family reunification.

Recent Developments

During the Israel-Gaza conflicts after 2023, the Rafah Border Crossing once again came to the forefront for the passage of humanitarian aid convoys, evacuation of the wounded, and the exit of foreign nationals from the region. Israel's demands to increase control over this crossing have made its relations with Egypt and the status of the border contentious issues.