Israel has announced the reopening of the Rafah border crossing on Sunday, allowing people to travel between Gaza and Egypt. This marks the first reopening of the main entry and exit point for Palestinians since May 2024. The Israeli government agency COGAT did not specify the number of Gaza’s approximately two million residents permitted to cross the border daily.
According to COGAT, residents who departed Gaza during the conflict will be allowed to return to the territory after receiving security clearance from Israel in coordination with Egypt. The reopening of the border crossing was a key requirement of the initial phase of President Donald Trump’s plan to end hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants following a ceasefire agreement in October.
Despite ongoing discussions between Egypt and Israel, a source familiar with the matter revealed that Israel aims to facilitate around 150 people to return daily through the crossing. The reopening will focus solely on allowing the passage of individuals, even as Gaza continues to face urgent humanitarian needs hindered by Israeli restrictions.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric highlighted the challenging conditions in Gaza, with many residents living amidst rubble without basic services, especially during harsh winter weather. She emphasized the necessity of easing restrictions on vital items such as water pipes and generators to rebuild essential infrastructure.
Israel’s long-standing policy of inspecting trucks heading to Gaza for potential dual-use items — civilian or military — remains in place. The Israeli offensive over the past two years has caused widespread devastation in Gaza, displacing much of the population and leaving significant parts of the territory in ruins.
The conflict escalated in October 2023 after a Hamas-led attack on Israel, leading to Israel’s air and ground operations in Gaza. The toll from Israel’s offensive includes over 71,400 Palestinian fatalities, with more than 490 Palestinians killed by Israeli actions since October 10, 2025, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.