After overnight attack on troops, Israel says Rafah Crossing open today as usual

The Rafah Border Crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt is open this morning as usual, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) says, contrary to claims in some Palestinian media outlets.

The crossing opened on Monday for the first time in a year for Gazan Palestinians to enter and leave the Strip in accordance with the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, though the number of people crossing has been limited.

COGAT says that as of this morning, the World Health Organization, “which is responsible for coordinating the arrival of residents from the Gaza Strip to the Rafah Crossing, has not submitted the required coordination details at this stage for procedural reasons.”

“Once the coordination details are submitted as agreed upon, the transfer of patients and their companions into Egypt via the Rafah Crossing will be facilitated,” COGAT says, in reference to Palestinians seeking medical care.

The crossing is open despite an overnight incident in the northern Gaza Strip during which Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Israeli soldiers, seriously wounding one. The IDF said the incident was a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire. Palestinian media reported nine killed in subsequent Israeli strikes.