The Rafah Crossing opened on Sunday as part of a pilot program, with dozens of ambulances entering the Gaza Strip in preparation for evacuating wounded and sick Palestinians, according to footage and Arab media reports.
Sky News Arabic reported that ambulances from the Egyptian Red Crescent entered through the Rafah Crossing as part of preparations to evacuate wounded and ill Gazans out of the Strip. Egyptian medical officials in northern Sinai were also quoted as saying that hospitals were ready to receive patients from Gaza.
An Israeli security official quoted by Sky News said the pilot opening of the crossing was currently in progress, but it was still uncertain whether Gaza residents would pass through it on Sunday.
Reports also said vehicles carrying Palestinian officials had arrived on the Egyptian side of the Rafah Crossing, ahead of their entry to the Palestinian side and the start of operations there.
Nickolay Mladenov, chief executive officer of the Board of Peace, commented on the opening of the crossing, saying: "I am deeply concerned by what has taken place since Friday: Hamas armed operatives emerging from a tunnel in Rafah, Israeli strikes that tragically also killed civilians. Such developments risk the hard-won progress under UNSCR 2803 and President Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan."
He added that "All must exercise restraint and uphold the ceasefire as the NCAG prepares to assume civilian and security responsibilities, shifting Gaza's trajectory from violence and destruction to recovery and reconstruction."
Mladenov said his office was working closely with partners to support the committee and to find ways to prevent future incidents, stressing that full cooperation from all parties would be required. While he did not condemn Israel outright, he did criticize it within what Israeli officials often describe as the framework of "sacred balance."
Later on Sunday, a delegation from the European Union, along with Egyptian officials and Gazans, was expected to arrive at the crossing to inspect it ahead of the start of civilian movement. Israeli officials noted that it was doubtful Gazans would begin entering and exiting the Strip on Sunday, citing the need to complete preparations by the European, Egyptian and Gazan sides. The assessment was that Palestinian crossings would begin on Monday.
Lists of those seeking to enter and exit Gaza had already been transferred to Israel by Egypt, and Israel approved the names. According to the plan, between 150 and 200 Palestinians were expected to pass through the Rafah Crossing during the day. Officials estimated that more Gazans would leave the Strip than enter it, since each patient traveling abroad for medical treatment would be accompanied by several escorts.
Those leaving Gaza would be inspected by the European delegation, while any Palestinian entering the Strip would also undergo Israeli screening at a point located between the Rafah Crossing and the so-called Yellow Line.
Israeli security officials said the current mechanism posed no security risk as a result of opening the crossing, but stressed that under no circumstances should Rafah be opened to the transfer of goods. If Israel were pressured to allow that, they said, it would have to "break the rules of the game."
