UN Urges Complete Access Restoration of Rafah Crossing for Gaza People
Stephane Dujarric informed journalists that the UN has noted contradictory positions—Israeli officials hinting at imminent reopening while Egyptian authorities rejecting claims of any coordination.
"Like you, we've seen contradicting reports," Dujarric said.
"What we want to see is Rafah reopened fully for the movement of humanitarian cargo, for the movements of people, and both for humanitarian workers. If residents of Gaza, Palestinians, want to leave, they need to be able to do so voluntarily and freely without any pressure. And for those residents of Gaza who may have left the enclave a while ago, if they wish to return, they should be able to return," he added.
Dujarric emphasized that any restoration requires bilateral coordination between Israel and Egypt, while stressing humanitarian needs must override political obstacles.
"What we think we need to see is a reopening of Rafah for humanitarian cargo to be able to go in, for humanitarian workers to go in and out, and for Palestinians who wish to leave to be able to do so freely, safely, without any pressure to do so. And for those who have left and wish to come back, and therefore, they want to come back, they should be able to come back," he added.
Dujarric noted the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues receiving accounts that airstrikes, artillery bombardment, small arms fire, and additional Israeli military actions are generating further civilian deaths, forced displacement, and infrastructure devastation throughout the Gaza Strip.
Conditions have improved compared to the pre-ceasefire period between Israel and Hamas, he acknowledged.
"But, you know, we're comparing a horrific situation to an extremely challenging one, to say the least," he added.
The Rafah border terminal in southern Gaza was slated to resume operations last October under the truce arrangement, yet remained shuttered due to Israel's failure to honor the agreement.
Since May 2024, the Israeli military has prevented Palestinian passage through the crossing—the territory's sole external gateway not under Tel Aviv's authority before the Israeli offensive against Gaza commenced in October 2023.
Addressing the Israeli drone strike Saturday that killed two Palestinian children in southern Gaza, Dujarric characterized it as devastating.
"It's hard to see how two boys -- 8 and 10 -- can be considered a threat, and there needs to be an investigation. And accountability for what happened," he added.
The strike occurred within zones the Israeli military continues occupying under the ceasefire framework, which became effective in October.
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