Operations at the border crossing with Egypt resumed on a limited scale on Monday in accordance with the terms of the Israeli – Hamas ceasefire agreement, reopening a crucial gateway that had been mostly closed for nearly two years.
The reopening is accompanied by strict restrictions. Only a small number of people will be allowed to travel in either direction, and commercial goods will not be permitted to pass through the crossing, according to officials.
Egyptian authorities stated that on the first day of operations, up to 50 [people, it seems something is missing here in the original] will be allowed in each direction. This figure indicates the limited scope of the initial reopening rather than a full return to pre – war travel.
Health officials in Gaza claim that tens of thousands of residents with urgent medical needs are seeking evacuation through Rafah, highlighting the pressure on the crossing even though access remains strictly controlled. Thousands of Palestinians currently outside Gaza are also hoping to return.
Before the war, Rafah served as [a connection to the outside world, it seems something is missing here in the original]. All other crossings into the territory are shared with Israel. Under the ceasefire framework that came into effect in October, Israeli forces continue to control the corridor between the crossing and the areas where most Palestinians live.
Israel and Egypt are [collaborating, it seems something is missing here in the original], and the crossing is being supervised with international participation, officials said, as part of efforts to prevent weapons smuggling while allowing limited humanitarian movement.
Egypt has stated that the crossing must operate in both directions and has opposed any use of Rafah as a means to permanently [relocate Palestinians, it seems something is missing here in the original].
Elsewhere in the territory, [hostilities, it seems something is missing here in the original] continued despite the ceasefire. Gaza hospital officials accused an Israeli navy vessel of firing on a tent camp near the southern city of Khan Younis, killing a 3 – year – old Palestinian boy. Israel’s military said it was reviewing the report.
Egyptian authorities said that approximately 150 hospitals across the country are ready to receive patients evacuated from Gaza, while the Egyptian Red Crescent has established support areas on the Egyptian side of the crossing.
Israel [closed the crossing, it seems something is missing here in the original] in May 2024, describing the move as part of its campaign against Hamas smuggling routes. The crossing was briefly opened for medical evacuations during a short – lived ceasefire in early 2025.
The [ceasefire, it seems something is missing here in the original] on Oct. 10 stopped more than two years of fighting that started with the Hamas – led terror attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The initial phase of the ceasefire focused on hostage exchanges, increased humanitarian aid, and a limited Israeli withdrawal.
[There are discussions about, it seems something is missing here in the original] a new Palestinian governing arrangement for Gaza, the deployment of an international security force, the disarmament of Hamas, and steps toward reconstruction — goals that remain unresolved.