BADRASHIN, Egypt: Stranded in Egypt for the past two years, Raed Belal has had to watch helplessly as his wife and children in the Gaza Strip endured bombardment, displacement and hunger. Now he finally has hope he might return to them. With Israel preparing to reopen the vital Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, Belal, 51, has packed his suitcases, bought gifts for his children, and is ready to go as soon as he is allowed. “It’s the moment I have been waiting for,” he said, speaking at the rented apartment where he has been living in the Egyptian village of Badrashin.

Among those seeking an exit: severely ill children, a mother trying to reunite with her husband and an aspirant student.

GAZA CITY: With Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing expected to soon reopen, residents of the war-shattered territory are hoping to reunite with family members, or are looking to…

Israel Says It Will Open the Rafah Border Crossing to Pedestrians in the Coming Days, Potentially Allowing Some of the Gazans Who Fled the Strip to Return. Three Palestinians From…

BADRASHIN, Egypt: Stranded in Egypt for the past two years, Raed Belal has had to watch helplessly as his wife and children in the Gaza Strip endured bombardment, displacement and…