Displaced Palestinians in Egypt await Rafah reopening as returns remain blocked

Tens of thousands of Palestinians in Egypt face an uncertain future as they wait for the Rafah border crossing with Gaza to reopen, the New York Times reported, leaving many unable to return home despite a cease-fire. The New York Times spoke to a family that remains separated. Nine-year-old Islam Al Farany and his mother, Tahrir, were evacuated to the United States via Egypt so Islam could receive a prosthetic after an Israeli strike; they later returned to Egypt planning to go back to Gaza, but could not, and the father died in another strike while they were away.

Tahrir’s six other children remain in Gaza and have been separated from her for nearly a year; five of the siblings were injured in the same strike, including an eight-year-old who broke both hips and a six-year-old who lost sight in one eye. The Rafah crossing has been mostly closed since Israel seized it in May 2024, and although Israel agreed as part of a truce to reopen it, it has more recently said it would allow Palestinians to return only after Hamas hands over all the remains of captives held in Gaza.

Tens of thousands left Gaza soon after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Many in Egypt now face expired temporary visas that leave them without legal status, preventing them from officially working, buying property or attending schools; Egypt says a mass influx of refugees could lead to permanent displacement.

Key Topics

World, Palestinians, Rafah Crossing, Gaza Strip, Egypt, Israel