Israel reopens Gaza’s Rafah crossing for limited passenger travel after months of closure, but aid shipments remain restricted as humanitarian crisis persists.
RAFAH: Israel partially reopened the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Sunday following months of pressure from humanitarian groups.
The Israeli defence ministry body COGAT stated the reopening was for the limited passage of residents only. It clarified that the movement of people in both directions is expected to begin on Monday.
COGAT made no mention of allowing in a long-hoped-for surge of aid deliveries. The crossing is a key entry point for supplies into the devastated Palestinian territory.
Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire after two years of war, despite a ceasefire in place since October. The crossing had been closed since Israeli forces seized it in May 2024, aside from a brief reopening in early 2025.
An official at Gaza’s health ministry said about 200 patients were waiting to leave the territory once the crossing opened. AFP footage showed ambulances queueing on the Egyptian side, though none had been allowed into Gaza.
“The opening of Rafah opens a small door of hope for patients, students and people in Gaza,” said Amin Al-Hilu, 53, who lives in a tent camp. “We need the crossing to fully open for travel and bringing in goods without Israeli restrictions.”
A Palestinian official said a group of around 40 people affiliated with the Palestinian Authority had arrived on the Egyptian side and was also waiting to enter. COGAT described the reopening as an initial pilot phase coordinated with the EU.
No agreement has been reached on the number of Palestinians permitted to enter or exit. Egypt plans to admit all Palestinians whom Israel authorises to leave.
“My generation and I deserve a chance at life and to build a future,” said Adam Awad, 19, who was waiting to travel to Turkey for university. Rafah is the only crossing into Gaza that does not pass through Israel.
It lies in an area held by Israeli forces following their withdrawal behind a designated line under the ceasefire terms. Israeli troops still control more than half of Gaza, with the rest under Hamas authority.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called on mediators to monitor Israel’s behaviour at the crossing “to prevent Gaza from facing a new Israeli siege.” The reopening is expected to facilitate the entry of a new Palestinian technocratic body to oversee Gaza’s day-to-day governance.
However, a committee member said its head was informed Israel had approved entry but had not set a date. Meanwhile, Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs said it would terminate the work of medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Gaza by February 28.
It cited MSF’s failure to submit lists of local employees, a requirement for all aid groups. MSF said it decided not to provide the list after it did not receive assurances the information would not put colleagues at risk.
The group says 15 of its employees have been killed over the course of the war.
