Israel is set to reopen the Rafah border crossing on Sunday to facilitate travel between Gaza and Egypt, as announced by a government agency. This marks the first reopening of the main entry and exit point for Palestinians since May 2024. The Israeli government agency in charge of civilian policy in Gaza, COGAT, has not disclosed the daily limit for crossings by Gaza’s approximately two million residents.
According to COGAT, the reopening will allow residents who had left Gaza during the conflict to return from Egypt, subject to prior security clearance by Israel in coordination with Egypt. The border crossing was seized by Israel in May 2024 during the Gaza war, and its reopening was a key requirement of the initial phase of a peace plan initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump to end hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants following a ceasefire agreement in October.
The decision to reopen the crossing comes after the recovery of the last Israeli hostage’s body in Gaza earlier this week. Reports suggest that Israel aims to control the flow of Palestinians entering Gaza via the Egyptian border, prioritizing outbound travel over inbound movement, a condition Egypt has not accepted.
Despite ongoing negotiations between Egypt and Israel, sources indicate that the crossing will open to allow around 150 individuals to return daily. The reopening will focus solely on facilitating the passage of people, while Gaza continues to face challenges accessing essential aid due to Israeli restrictions.
Humanitarian organizations have highlighted the plight of many Gazans living amidst rubble without basic services, struggling to cope with severe winter conditions. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for the relaxation of restrictions on crucial items like water pipes and generators, essential for the restoration of vital infrastructure in Gaza.
Israel’s policy of inspecting trucks carrying goods to Gaza, aimed at preventing the entry of items with potential dual military and civilian applications, predates recent conflicts. The Palestinian territory has been severely impacted by Israel’s extensive military campaign, resulting in widespread destruction and displacement of the population.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated following a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which claimed about 1,200 lives, according to Israeli reports. The Israeli offensive has led to significant Palestinian casualties, with over 71,400 Palestinians killed, including more than 490 fatalities since October 10, 2025, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.