Israel announced the reopening of the Rafah border crossing on Sunday to facilitate travel between Gaza and Egypt. This marks the first time the main entry and exit point for the Palestinian territory has been operational since May 2024. COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for civilian policies in Gaza, did not specify the daily limit on border crossings for Gaza’s approximately two million residents.
According to COGAT, the reopening is specifically for Gaza residents who had left during the conflict and have received security clearance from Israel. This move is in compliance with the initial phase of a peace plan initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump to halt hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants.
Israel took control of the Rafah border crossing in May 2024 during the Gaza conflict. The reopening was contingent on the retrieval of the final Israeli hostage’s body, which has now been achieved. There are ongoing discussions between Egypt and Israel regarding the number of individuals allowed to cross daily, with reports suggesting Israel aims to permit around 150 people per day.
While the border crossing will facilitate the movement of people, Gaza continues to face significant humanitarian challenges aggravated by Israeli restrictions. The International Committee of the Red Cross has highlighted the urgent need for essential aid in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of easing restrictions on critical items like water pipes and generators to rebuild vital infrastructure.
Israel’s long-standing policy of inspecting trucks destined for Gaza to prevent the entry of items deemed to have dual civilian and military use remains in effect. The devastating impact of Israel’s offensive on Gaza, which began in response to a Hamas attack in October 2023, has left the region in ruins and displaced a large portion of its population.
The toll of the conflict is evident in the high number of casualties, with over 71,400 Palestinians killed by Israeli actions. Since October 10, 2025, more than 490 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli interventions, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.