Rafah Gate is a pass of agony and pain

Gaza: Travelling to the Gaza Strip is unlike travelling anywhere in the world. Normally one would request a visa, book their flight, pack their suitcase and be on their merry way. Not in Gaza.

To visit Gaza, one would have to contact both the Israeli and the Egyptian governments of your plans. One would also have to observe the Egyptian media to make sure the border at the Rafah post would be open and wait for the Israeli response whether you are allowed to pass or not. You may have to wait two or three days, in a long line, with your luggage or you may have to wait indefinitely.

On the border there is no luxury. At the best you can have a rented umbrella and a soft drink, and the only entertainment you will have, is to listen to the man besides you. Why he left Gaza and since when he is waiting for the gate to be opened. The stories are varied from one to another in some details, but the pain is the same.

Once a rumour floats around that the gate will be opened, thousands around you will swarm towards the gate, hoping to enter.

Finally, if you could cross this famous gate you will be face-to-face with a big sign that says "Welcome to Gaza".

Rafah is known as the southern gate of historical Palestine. It was the base for many conquerors such as Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Salah Al Deen Al Ayoubi.

The Rafah Gate was established as an international crossing during the British occupation.

After 1948 war and during the Nakba, Rafah Gate became the only area of access for Gazans.

From 1976 to 2005, it was controlled by Israel. After the Rafah border post agreement in 2005, Israel got the right to keep controlling Rafah Gate from afar, without any soldier on the field.

Since the victory of Hamas in Gaza in 2006, passing through the Rafah Gate became a daunting ordeal, as it could be open anywhere from a few hours a day to a few hours a week.

Now Palestinians feel blessed to have it opened once every two or three months.