In a significant development, the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has resumed operations for limited evacuations, allowing dozens of foreign passport holders and medical evacuees to pass through. The crossing had been suspended for two days after an Israeli strike on an ambulance, but has now reopened following negotiations between Egyptian and Palestinian authorities.

According to three Egyptian security sources, the resumption of evacuations came after the Gaza border authority announced that Egyptians and foreign citizens on pre-approved lists issued since last Wednesday would be allowed to cross through Rafah. This border crossing is the only exit point from Gaza that does not directly border Israel.

The interruption in evacuations occurred on Saturday following the Israeli strike on an ambulance in Gaza, which led to the suspension of the passage of foreign nationals, dependents, and injured Gazans. The incident raised concerns about the safety of ambulances used for evacuations, prompting Egypt to demand guarantees for their protection. Egyptian officials insisted that convoys carrying the wounded to Rafah crossing must be accompanied by vehicles from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations (UN) to ensure their safety.

On Monday, following the resumption of evacuations, approximately 80 dual nationals and 17 medical evacuees were able to leave Gaza through Rafah. In addition, 48 aid trucks crossed in the opposite direction. This is a significant relief for the people in Gaza, as the flow of aid trucks through the crossing had dramatically decreased in recent days, with only 25 trucks entering Gaza on Sunday compared to 102 trucks on Thursday, according to UN data.

In an effort to ensure the safety of evacuations, the ICRC confirmed that it had accompanied a convoy of four ambulances carrying patients from Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital to the Rafah border on Monday. This intervention by the ICRC highlights the urgency of providing support and protection for medical emergencies in Gaza.

Meanwhile, it is important to note that the resumption of evacuations does not address the ongoing fuel crisis in Gaza. Israel continues to refuse the entry of fuel from Egypt, which is necessary for water supplies, hospital generators, and aid distribution in the region. The impact of this fuel shortage exacerbates the humanitarian crisis already faced by the people of Gaza.

The reopening of Rafah crossing for limited evacuations provides a glimmer of hope amidst the continued challenges facing the people of Gaza. However, further efforts are needed to address the fuel crisis and ensure the continuous provision of essential supplies and aid to the region.