Rafah Crossing to Reopen Sunday, Easing Gaza-Egypt Movement After Months of Closure
JERUSALEM, Jan 30 (Reuters) — Israel will reopen the Rafah border crossing this Sunday, allowing for the movement of people between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, the Israeli military body overseeing civilian affairs in Palestinian territories announced on Friday.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) stated that the reopening, coordinated with Egyptian authorities, will permit the return of Gaza residents who left the territory during the ongoing conflict. All returning individuals must obtain prior Israeli security clearance.
This decision follows the recovery this week of the remains of the last Israeli soldier held in Gaza, a condition Israel had set for reopening the crossing. The Rafah crossing has served as the primary—and often only—exit and entry point for Gaza's population since Israel imposed a land, air, and sea blockade in 2007.
Israel took control of the crossing in May 2024, nearly nine months into the war with Hamas, severely restricting movement for humanitarian cases, medical evacuations, and foreign passport holders. Its reopening was a key provision in the initial phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan announced in October, which aimed to de-escalate hostilities and facilitate aid delivery.
The move is seen as a tentative step toward stabilizing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where reconstruction efforts have been hampered by the closure. However, analysts caution that the stringent security vetting and the limitation to returning residents only indicate that full, pre-war mobility levels are unlikely to be restored in the near term.
(Reporting by Steven Scheer and Rami Ayoub; Edited by Maha El Dahan)
Voices & Reactions
David Chen, Regional Analyst at Mideast Watch: "This is a logistical necessity, not a gesture of goodwill. The crossing's closure crippled Gaza's economy and trapped civilians. While reopening it is positive, the process remains entirely controlled by Israel, which defeats the purpose of a sovereign border."
Amira Hassan, Aid Worker with Relief Gaza: "Finally, some families might be reunited. We've had patients die waiting for permits to seek treatment abroad. This should have happened months ago without preconditions. Every day of closure costs lives."
Mark Richardson, Former Diplomat: "Pragmatically, this aligns with the ceasefire framework and eases international pressure. It's a confidence-building measure, but its sustainability depends on the security situation on the ground. The real test is whether commercial traffic and aid flows increase substantially."
Sarah Klein, Political Commentator: "It's outrageous that this is being framed as a concession. Israel militarized a civilian crossing for months, collectively punishing two million people. Reopening it under draconian vetting rules is just maintaining the siege by other means. The international community's muted response is a disgrace."