Israel announces the reopening of the Rafah border crossing on Sunday to facilitate travel between Gaza and Egypt. This move marks the first reopening of the main entry and exit point for the Palestinian territory since May 2024. COGAT, the Israeli agency overseeing civilian policies in Gaza, disclosed that the number of individuals permitted to cross daily remains unspecified.
According to COGAT, residents who departed Gaza during the conflict will be allowed to return from Egypt after receiving prior security clearance from Israel in coordination with Egypt. The seizure of the border crossing by Israel in May 2024, during the Gaza war, became a pivotal requirement of the initial phase of President Donald Trump’s effort to quell hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants following a ceasefire in October.
The reopening of the crossing comes after the recovery of the final Israeli hostage’s body in Gaza earlier this week. Israel has expressed intentions to regulate the influx of Palestinians entering Gaza through the Egyptian border to ensure a higher number exit than enter, a measure Egypt has not yet agreed to.
Despite ongoing deliberations between Egypt and Israel regarding this issue, sources familiar with the matter revealed that Israel aims to allow approximately 150 individuals to return daily. The reopening of the crossing solely pertains to the passage of people, while Gaza continues to face significant challenges in receiving crucial aid due to Israeli constraints.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric emphasized the urgent need for easing restrictions on essential items like water pipes and generators, crucial for rebuilding vital infrastructure in Gaza. This call for action comes as many Gazans endure harsh winter conditions, residing amidst rubble and lacking basic services.
Israel enforces a longstanding policy of inspecting trucks destined for Gaza, scrutinizing items with potential dual-use applications—civilian or military—a practice predating the recent conflicts. The ravaging effects of Israel’s two-year offensive have left Gaza in ruins, displacing a vast majority of its inhabitants.
Following a Hamas-led cross-border attack in October 2023, which claimed approximately 1,200 lives, Israel initiated an extensive air and ground campaign in Gaza. Subsequently, the offensive has resulted in over 71,400 Palestinian casualties, with more than 490 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since October 10, 2025, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.