Gaza - Rafah: Europe and the Arabs - Agencies

The movement of individuals through the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt resumed today, Monday, in both directions, albeit on a limited basis and under strict restrictions. This follows its opening yesterday in a trial phase, coordinated with the European Union mission, Egypt, and other relevant parties.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority stated that entry and exit through the crossing will be restricted to residents of the Gaza Strip only, with no foreigners permitted to cross. It also noted that the National Committee for the Administration of the Strip is scheduled to enter through the Rafah crossing in the coming days.

In the same context, the Israeli army announced the completion in recent days of the construction of a screening corridor known as "Regavim," located in an area under its control. This is part of the preparations for the reopening of the Rafah crossing, based on decisions issued by the Israeli political leadership.

The army explained that the corridor will be managed by the Israeli security establishment, where the identities of those arriving will be checked against lists approved by the Israeli side, in addition to baggage inspections. In the West Bank, Israeli forces continued their operations, raiding the town of Halhul, north of Hebron, and forcing several Palestinian families to evacuate their homes.

Israeli forces also demolished the home of Mahmoud Yousef Abed, accused of carrying out the Gush Etzion attack, in the same town.

According to Euronews, citing the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, the Rafah crossing was opened in both directions, and the army presented the political leadership with options for using force in Gaza similar to the model implemented in Lebanon. Israeli forces also raided the town of Halhul, north of Hebron in the southern West Bank, where military vehicles were seen deploying in several neighborhoods, forcing Palestinian families to evacuate their homes.

Israeli forces also demolished the home of Mahmoud Yousef Abed, accused of carrying out the Gush Etzion attack, in the same town.

The European Union condemned Israel's repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, calling for respect for international humanitarian law.