Israel announces Rafah crossing will open in coming days for Gaza residents to exit to Egypt, under EU supervision as part of ceasefire terms
JERUSALEM: Israel announced it will open the Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt to allow residents to exit the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli defence ministry body COGAT said the opening would occur “in the coming days exclusively for the exit of residents from the Gaza Strip to Egypt”.
It stated the move is in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.
The crossing will operate under the supervision of the EU’s Border Assistance Mission.
COGAT noted this is similar to the mechanism that operated in January 2025 when the crossing was briefly opened during a six-week truce.
Two European diplomatic sources said they had originally prepared for an opening on October 14 after a similar announcement before it was delayed.
Reopening Rafah is part of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for the Palestinian territory.
UN agencies and other humanitarian actors have long called for its reopening.
The Israeli army took control of the Palestinian side in May 2024, claiming it was “used for terrorist purposes” amid arms trafficking suspicions.
It was briefly reopened during the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that began on January 19.
That opening initially allowed the passage of authorised people and later trucks.
The Rafah crossing is a crucial entry point for humanitarian workers and aid lorries.
It is essential for transporting food and fuel into the electricity-deprived territory.
For a long time, it was the main exit point for Palestinians authorised to leave Gaza.
The narrow strip of land has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007. – AFP
