The Rafah entry point is intended to allow Palestinians to leave the war-torn enclave for Egypt

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened for a select few Palestinians on Monday.

Although Gaza's Health Ministry says some 20,000 people urgently need medical evacuation, the war-ravaged enclave's main gateway has been largely shut for almost two years. The Israeli army only allowed five out of 22,000 patients to pass on Monday, according to RT sources.

In a statement to RT, the director of one of Gaza's hospitals, Mohamed Abou Salmiah, claimed that these numbers show that "Israel is practicing a collective punishment that threatens thousands of prisoners with murder."

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The Israeli military agency COGAT, which controls aid to Gaza, said on Sunday that the crossing would reopen in both directions for Gaza residents on foot only, and that its operation would be coordinated with Egypt ‍and the EU.

Though the exact number remains unconfirmed, RT sources have claimed that between 50 and 150 people will be allowed to exit the enclave each day.

Before the war, the Rafah border crossing with Egypt was the only direct exit point for most Gazans to reach the outside world, as well as a key entry point for aid into the territory.

Despite the reopening, Israel continues to refuse entry to foreign journalists.

Meanwhile, sources told Reuters that US special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel on Tuesday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The reopening is a key requirement of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the fighting between Israel and Hamas, which went into effect last October. However, Israel had refused to approve any crossings until now, urging Hamas to hand over the remains of the last hostage in Gaza.

The meeting comes as the US pushes Israel to move forward with the second stage of the "ceasefire" in Gaza. It also comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Iran.

(RT.com)