Israel to partially reopen Gaza’s Rafah crossing on Sunday

AFP | Jerusalem

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Israel announced it would reopen the crucial Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Sunday after months of urging from the UN, humanitarian organisations and ordinary Palestinians -- but only for the “limited movement of people”. Earlier yesterday, Hamas had called for the “immediate transition to the second phase” of the ongoing US-brokered truce in Gaza, namely its provision for the reopening of Rafah, as well as the entry of a technocratic Palestinian committee to administer the territory.

Israel had previously expressed its unwillingness to reopen the gateway until getting back the remains of Ran Gvili, the last hostage to be held in Gaza, who was recovered earlier this week and laid to rest in Israel on Wednesday.

“The Rafah Crossing will open this coming Sunday (February 1st) in both directions, for limited movement of people only,” COGAT, an Israeli defence ministry body overseeing civil affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, said in a statement yesterday.

Entry and exit “will be permitted in coordination with Egypt, following prior security clearance of individuals by Israel, and under the supervision of the European Union mission”, it added.

The crossing, situated on the territory’s southern border with Egypt, is the only route in and out of Gaza that does not pass through Israel.

It lies in territory held by Israeli forces since their pullback behind the so-called “Yellow Line” under the terms of the ceasefire deal. Israeli troops still control more than half of Gaza.

The gateway is a vital entry point for aid, but has been closed since Israeli forces took control of it in May 2024 -- except for a limited reopening in early 2025 -- and past bids to reopen it have failed to materialise.