Gaza's Rafah Crossing Resumes Operations After Two-Year Closure
Yedioth Ahronoth, a leading Israeli daily, confirmed the development Sunday morning, stating: "The Rafah crossing has opened in a pilot operation."
"According to estimates, the movement of people will actually begin tomorrow (Monday) in both directions, with about 150 people expected to leave the Gaza Strip daily, compared to about 50 who will return to it," the publication added.
Palestinians who departed Gaza during the Israeli military campaign will face restrictions on re-entry, with the Rafah terminal serving as the exclusive access point for their return, the newspaper reported.
Israeli forces will not maintain a physical presence at the crossing, Yedioth Ahronoth indicated, noting that "Israel would monitor the work at the terminal remotely using surveillance equipment, not directly by Israeli soldiers."
Egyptian authorities will transmit daily manifests to Israel detailing individuals scheduled to traverse the border in either direction within the subsequent 24-hour period, according to the report.
Israel "will allow a small number of wounded (Palestinian) gunmen to leave through the crossing if they wish, and in principle, all those who leave will be allowed to return," the newspaper stated.
Neither Israeli, Egyptian, nor Palestinian officials had released formal statements confirming the reopening at the time of reporting.
Strategic Crossing Seized During War's Ninth Month
The Rafah terminal represents a lifeline for humanitarian assistance flowing into Gaza. Israeli forces took control of the crossing in May 2024, approximately nine months after launching its devastating military offensive against the Gaza Strip.
The conflict has produced catastrophic casualties, claiming over 71,000 lives and wounding more than 171,000 additional Palestinians since October 2023.
Initial ceasefire framework provisions scheduled the terminal's reopening for October, but Israeli authorities refused to proceed until receiving its final captive held in Gaza—a release that occurred within the past week.
Violence Persists Despite Ceasefire Agreement
Even with ceasefire terms theoretically in effect, Israeli military operations have continued unabated, resulting in 524 fatalities and 1,360 injuries since October 10, according to Gaza's media office.
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