Egypt, Palestinians Coordinate Rafah Crossing Movement on Equal Basis

Egyptian and Palestinian authorities are coordinating closely to determine movement priorities through the Rafah border crossing, based on the principle of reciprocity, according to informed sources.

The coordination focuses on Palestinians who have been in Egypt for around a year and a half or longer following the closure of the crossing on the Palestinian side and its subsequent occupation by Israeli forces. Many of those individuals had been residing in Egypt’s North Sinai governorate and received medical care, including treatment for critical and chronic conditions.

Crossing procedures are carried out under a clear mechanism that begins after patients complete their medical treatment and fully recover. Relevant lists are then prepared before individuals proceed to the crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip in preparation for their return.

The return of these groups carries a symbolic message underscoring the right of return, attachment to land, and determination to go back to Gaza. This approach is consistent with Egypt’s policy of rejecting forced displacement and working to prevent its occurrence.

Egypt has also insisted on applying the principle of reciprocity at the Rafah crossing, ensuring that the number of Palestinians returning from Egypt to Gaza equals the number entering Egypt from the enclave for medical treatment, in order to maintain humanitarian balance in cross-border movement.