Lives on hold for two years: Hope, fear stuck behind Gaza’s Rafah crossing

Al JazeeraCenterEN 6 min read 100% complete by Maram HumaidJanuary 27, 2026 at 05:58 AM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

For two years, the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has remained largely closed due to the ongoing war with Israel, severely impacting the lives of Palestinians seeking to leave. The closure, despite a ceasefire agreement, has prevented people like Khitam Hameed from reuniting with her husband abroad and seeking medical treatment for her son Yousef, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder requiring specialized care. The reopening of the Rafah crossing was linked to the recovery of the remains of the final Israeli captive, creating a sense of anxious anticipation for thousands needing urgent medical care or family reunification. While the retrieval of the body has seemingly opened the door, access is expected to be limited and under strict military supervision. The situation leaves many Gazans in displacement camps, their lives on hold, hoping for a chance to leave and rebuild.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Nuseirat refugee camp 40% Deir el-Balah 50% Beit Hanoon 60% Gaza Strip ×260% United States 70% Khitam Hameed ×280% Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) 80% Israel ×390% Rafah Crossing ×290%

Keywords

rafah crossing 100% gaza 90% family reunification 80% medical treatment 70% ceasefire 60% ehlers-danlos syndrome 50% israeli captive 50% humanitarian aid 40%