As the devastating conflict in Gaza persists, the Rafah crossing is Gaza’s last hope to escape the war and the only path to freedom for those stuck in the region. Located at the southern border of the Gaza Strip, the Rafah Crossing is a border checkpoint between Egypt and the Gaza Strip that allows Palestinians to legally cross the border.
The Rafah crossing has been used as an avenue of escape for many Palestinians looking to flee from the conflict in their home country. This is the main way that people from the region can enter and exit the Gaza Strip, allowing them to reach safety and freedom. However, due to the ongoing struggle and political instability in the region, the Rafah crossing is not always operational and has been closed for certain periods of time.
Though the Rafah crossing is the only exit point from Gaza, the process of entering Egypt at the crossing itself is very difficult. The Palestinians trying to enter must go through political, financial, and security checks, which can take anywhere from a few days to months. The Rafah Crossing also has limited hours during which people can be processed, making it difficult for anyone to cross over.
Those who make it through the security checks must also pay a high cost. The Egyptian authorities charge a large fee for those wishing to cross the border, often in the form of a visa or application fee. This often prevents those with limited resources from gaining passage.
The difficult process and heavy requirements to pass the Rafah Crossing make it essential for those looking to escape the conflict and gain freedom. However, the crossing remains a source of difficulty and frustration for many Palestinians due to its limited hours and monetary cost.
Those hoping to make it through the Rafah Crossing are hopeful that the border can be opened more regularly, allowing more Palestinians to make it out of the country and to safety. Through this, the home region of those in Gaza can begin to stabilize as more people are able to escape the ongoing war.
