Egyptian border with Gaza at Rafah reopens after 9 months

Starting in the Middle East, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened on Saturday local time after being closed for nearly nine months. This reopening aims to facilitate the evacuation of Palestinians, including children who require urgent medical treatment.

The development is part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, aiming to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

It signals that negotiations on the possible extension of the current ceasefire are gaining traction.

The World Health Organization estimated just before the current ceasefire that approximately 12,000 patients require medical evacuation, including those with war injuries and chronic conditions.

A group of 50 sick and wounded Palestinian children were the first to be allowed through the crossing on Saturday.