Israel Reopens Gaza's Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt Under Restrictions

Israel has reopened the border between Gaza and Egypt for pedestrians, a step that will allow Palestinians to leave the enclave and return those who wish to come back after fleeing from the war conducted by Israel. This is reported by Reuters.

The reopening of the Rafah border crossing will be limited, and Israel will require security checks for Palestinians entering and exiting. Both Israel and Egypt are expected to impose restrictions on the number of travelers.

Israel seized the border crossing in May 2024, nearly nine months into the Gaza war, which was halted due to a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump in October. The reopening of Rafah was a key demand in Trump’s broader plan for stopping the fighting between Israel and Hamas militants.

An Israeli security official stated that European monitoring groups have arrived at the crossing, which is “now open for residents’ movement both in and out.” Access to Gaza for foreign journalists remains prohibited.