Israel has announced it has agreed to a “limited reopening” of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, marking a significant development under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan.
According to a statement released late Sunday by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the Rafah crossing will reopen “for pedestrian passage only” and will operate “subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism.” No timeline was provided for when the reopening would begin.
The Rafah crossing is a critical gateway for humanitarian aid and civilian movement in and out of Gaza. It has been largely closed since May 2024, worsening humanitarian conditions in the enclave.
Humanitarian organisations and the United Nations have repeatedly called for the reopening of the crossing, especially after a ceasefire in Gaza came into effect on October 10. Despite these appeals, Israeli authorities had continued to resist reopening the border.
Israeli officials said the decision to reopen Rafah was “conditioned” on the return of all Israeli hostages—both living and deceased—held in Gaza.
On Monday, Israel announced it had recovered the remains of the last hostage in Gaza, Ran Gvili, a police officer. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as “an incredible achievement” for Israel and its soldiers.
The United Nations welcomed the recovery of the final Israeli captive and renewed its call for the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire plan, including unrestricted humanitarian access through key crossings such as Rafah.
Observers say the limited reopening could ease humanitarian pressure in Gaza, though aid groups continue to push for broader and more sustained access.
