Palestinians have gathered at Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt, hoping to pass through after it reopened Monday. Delays and uncertainty have marred the process. On the Egyptian side, Palestinians who fled earlier in the Israel-Hamas war await return. On the Gaza side, those needing medical treatment unavailable in Gaza hope to cross. The crossing's reopening is seen as a step forward in the fragile ceasefire, but only a small number have crossed so far. Health officials emphasize the urgent need for medical supplies and evacuations. The situation remains tense with ongoing security and bureaucratic challenges.

A dozen Palestinian returnees were allowed into Gaza and a few medical evacuees exited to Egypt Monday after the long-awaited reopening of the Rafah border crossing was marred by delays. The reopening of the crossing is a key step in ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but it is mostly symbolic at this point. Few Palestinians will be allowed to cross in either direction daily. About 20,000 Palestinian children and adults needing medical care hope to leave devastated Gaza via the crossing, according to Gaza health officials. Thousands of other Palestinians outside the territory hope to enter and return home. The crossing had been closed since Israeli troops seized it in May 2024.