UK welcomes reopening of Rafah crossing, says 'much more' still needs to be done

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The British foreign secretary on Monday welcomed the reopening of the Rafah crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border but said “much more” still needs to be done to address the dire needs of Palestinians.

“I welcome Rafah reopening for people to cross both ways on foot, allowing some in desperate need to access medical care in Egypt,” Yvette Cooper wrote on US social media company X.

The Rafah crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border officially resumed operations on Monday, with 50 people expected to leave Gaza and 50 others set to return, according to Egyptian state media.

“But much more still needs to be done,” UK’s foreign secretary said, stressing that aid must flow in, restrictions on essential supplies must ease, and aid workers must be allowed to operate.

For his part, Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer called for the full reopening of “all crossings” to allow increased humanitarian access.

“Getting Gazans to medical care they so desperately need is crucial,” he said on X, quoting Cooper’s post.

According to Israeli media, around 150 patients and their companions are expected to leave Gaza for medical treatment in Egypt, while about 50 Palestinians are set to enter the enclave. Gaza health officials estimate that approximately 22,000 patients are awaiting the full reopening of the crossing.

Israel has controlled the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing since May 2024, during its military campaign in Gaza that began in October 2023.

Israel has continued to commit hundreds of ceasefire violations since the truce took effect, including shelling and gunfire that have killed and wounded hundreds of Palestinian civilians.

The violations have persisted despite the US administration’s announcement in January that the second phase of the ceasefire agreement had begun. That phase includes additional Israeli withdrawals from Gaza and the launch of reconstruction efforts, which the United Nations estimates will cost around $70 billion.

The ceasefire ended an Israeli offensive that began on Oct. 8, 2023, and lasted nearly two years, killing more than 71,000 Palestinians and wounding over 171,000 others, while destroying about 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure.