Israel to Reopen Gaza–Egypt Rafah Crossing After Closure

Israeli authorities announced on Friday that the pedestrian border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will reopen over the weekend, ending a months-long shutdown and marking a key step in the US-backed ceasefire initiative for Gaza.

Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said the Rafah crossing—Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world—will reopen on Sunday, allowing limited movement of people under strict controls.

The announcement followed earlier remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ali Shaath, the recently appointed head of the Palestinian administrative body overseeing Gaza’s civilian affairs, both of whom indicated the reopening was imminent.

While COGAT confirmed that the crossing will initially operate in both directions on Sunday, Shaath described the first day as a trial phase, with regular two-way movement expected to begin on Monday.

An official familiar with the arrangements said Israel has approved the daily departure of up to 150 people, including 50 medical patients, each accompanied by two relatives. In addition, up to 50 Palestinians who left Gaza during the war will be allowed to return each day. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing negotiations.

Gaza’s Health Ministry estimates that nearly 20,000 injured or ill residents require medical treatment abroad, as the enclave’s healthcare system has been severely damaged and can no longer provide many specialised services.

COGAT said Israel and Egypt will jointly screen travellers at the crossing, which will also be monitored by European Union border officials. Palestinians will undergo Israeli security checks in a nearby corridor that remains under Israeli military control.

The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, when Israel took control of the area, citing concerns over weapons smuggling by Hamas. It was briefly reopened earlier this year to allow the evacuation of medical patients during a short-lived ceasefire.

Israel had previously resisted reopening the crossing, but the recovery of the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza earlier this week removed a major obstacle. Netanyahu later confirmed that the crossing would reopen in a limited and closely regulated manner.

As many Palestinians seek to leave the devastated enclave, tens of thousands who fled during heavy fighting are also hoping to return.

The reopening is among the first steps in the second phase of the US-mediated ceasefire agreement reached last year. This phase focuses on complex issues, including the disarmament of Gaza, the dismantling of Hamas’ tunnel network, and the establishment of a new governing authority to oversee reconstruction.

Netanyahu reiterated this week that dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities remains Israel’s priority, warning that reconstruction would not proceed without disarmament—making control of Rafah a critical point of leverage.

Despite the ceasefire, sporadic violence continues. On Friday, Palestinians mourned those killed earlier in the week in Israeli attacks. Funeral processions were held for three people, with mourners carrying shrouded bodies through the streets before burial prayers.

The Israeli military said four people were killed in airstrikes in central Gaza on Friday, alleging they were armed and moving toward Israeli troops near the ceasefire boundary.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 492 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began in October. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters, but its casualty figures are widely regarded as credible by international agencies and independent analysts.