Israel is set to partially reopen the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on Sunday, allowing limited movement of people after months of pressure from humanitarian organizations, Israeli authorities said.
The crossing has been closed since Israeli forces took control of it in May 2024 during the war with Hamas, aside from a brief reopening earlier this year. Israel had said it would not reopen Rafah until the remains of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili were returned. His remains were recovered last week and he was buried in Israel on Wednesday.
COGAT, an Israeli defence ministry body, said entry and exit would be permitted only after security clearance by Israel, in coordination with Egypt and under the supervision of a European Union mission. Key details, including how many people will be allowed to cross, remain unclear.
Sources at the crossing said Sunday’s opening would be on a trial basis, prioritizing wounded Palestinians, with a broader reopening planned for Monday. Violence continued ahead of the move, with Gaza’s civil defence agency reporting dozens killed in Israeli air strikes on Saturday, while Israel said the attacks were in response to ceasefire violations.
The crossing has been closed since Israeli forces took control of it in May 2024 during the war with Hamas, aside from a brief reopening earlier this year. Israel had said it would not reopen Rafah until the remains of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili were returned. His remains were recovered last week and he was buried in Israel on Wednesday.
COGAT, an Israeli defence ministry body, said entry and exit would be permitted only after security clearance by Israel, in coordination with Egypt and under the supervision of a European Union mission. Key details, including how many people will be allowed to cross, remain unclear.
Sources at the crossing said Sunday’s opening would be on a trial basis, prioritizing wounded Palestinians, with a broader reopening planned for Monday. Violence continued ahead of the move, with Gaza’s civil defence agency reporting dozens killed in Israeli air strikes on Saturday, while Israel said the attacks were in response to ceasefire violations.
