Gaza Residents Trickle Back Into Khan Younis as Rafah Crossing Partially Reopens

A limited number of Palestinians began making their way back into Khan Younis on Tuesday after the Rafah border crossing with Egypt partially reopened, offering a narrow but significant passage for residents displaced during months of conflict. The reopening, though tightly controlled and restricted to small daily quotas, marks the first movement through the crossing in months and has stirred a mix of relief, exhaustion, and deep uncertainty among those attempting to return.

A Slow, Exhausting Journey Home

Residents who managed to cross described long waits, extensive checks, and emotionally draining hours spent hoping their names would be called. One woman recounted the fatigue of the journey and the anxiety of leaving relatives behind in Egypt, where many had fled earlier in the war. Crowds gathered on both sides of the border—families in Gaza waiting for news of returning loved ones, and patients in Egypt hoping for permission to re-enter the enclave.

Strict Limits and Humanitarian Constraints

Movement through the crossing remains heavily restricted. Current procedures cap crossings at around 50 people per day in each direction, with priority given to medical cases. Aid remains blocked, leaving thousands still stranded and unable to return. Humanitarian groups warn that the limited quotas fall far short of Gaza’s urgent needs, particularly as hospitals and medical facilities continue to struggle with shortages and damage from the conflict.

Medical Evacuations and Lingering Uncertainty

On the Egyptian side, many of those waiting are patients who fled earlier in the war or who require specialized treatment unavailable in Gaza. Families in Khan Younis have been gathering near hospitals, hoping for updates on medical evacuations and the return of relatives. Despite Egypt mobilizing hospitals and ambulances to support the reopening, the flow of people remains minimal, and aid organizations say the humanitarian situation remains dire.

A Symbolic Step, but Far From a Solution

While the partial reopening of Rafah has been welcomed as a rare moment of progress, it has also underscored the scale of the crisis. Many residents expressed fear that leaving Gaza for medical care or education might mean being unable to return, given the unpredictable nature of border operations. The slow pace of crossings and the continued blockade of aid highlight the fragility of the situation and the immense challenges facing Gaza’s population as they attempt to rebuild their lives.

A Community Waiting for Stability

For now, the return of even a small number of residents to Khan Younis offers a glimmer of hope amid ongoing hardship. Yet with thousands still waiting for permission to cross, and with humanitarian needs escalating, the reopening of Rafah—though symbolically significant—remains only a modest step toward restoring stability and mobility for Gaza’s people.