Israel has partially reopened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt after nearly two years, allowing limited movement of people under what Israeli media have described as a “pilot operation.”
According to Israeli reports, the controlled movement of travelers is expected to formally begin on Monday. In the initial phase, around 150 people per day will be allowed to leave Gaza, while approximately 50 individuals are expected to return via the crossing.
Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that Palestinians who exit Gaza through Rafah will be required to return using the same route. The paper added that Israel will not deploy troops directly at the crossing. Instead, the facility will be monitored remotely using advanced surveillance systems.
Under the arrangement, Egyptian authorities will provide Israel with daily lists of individuals scheduled to cross the border within the following 24 hours. Israeli approval will be required before any movement is permitted.
The report also said Israel may allow a limited number of wounded Palestinian fighters to leave Gaza through Rafah. In principle, those permitted to exit would later be allowed to return, subject to security clearance.
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So far, there has been no official statement from Israeli, Egyptian, or Palestinian authorities confirming the details of the reopening.
The Rafah crossing is a vital gateway for humanitarian access to Gaza. Israel took control of the crossing in May 2024, significantly restricting movement during the ongoing conflict.
Since the war began in October 2023, more than 71,000 people have been killed and over 171,000 wounded in Gaza, according to local health authorities. Despite a ceasefire agreement being in place, Gaza’s media office reported that Israeli attacks since October 10 have resulted in an additional 524 deaths and 1,360 injuries.
The partial reopening of Rafah is seen as a critical, though limited, step amid ongoing humanitarian concerns and fragile ceasefire conditions.
