Gaza’s vital Rafah crossing with Egypt has reopened on a restricted basis after almost two years under Israeli control. An Israeli security official confirmed the partial resumption on Monday morning. This allows a small group of Palestinians to enter or leave the war-ravaged territory.
The European Union Border Assistance Mission now handles operations at the Rafah crossing. It forms the final element of phase one in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement for Gaza. That deal began in mid-October 2025.
Teams from the EU, Egypt, and other parties completed preparations on Sunday. The crossing had stayed mostly shut since Israel took it over in May 2024. Egypt’s state media AlQahera News reported that only 50 people per day may cross in each direction for the first few days. It cited an unnamed source.
Earlier reports indicated 150 Palestinians could exit daily, but entry remains limited to 50. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted last week that the reopening stays “limited.” It excludes humanitarian aid or commercial goods.
At Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital in Deir al-Balah, kidney patient Ibrahim Al-Batran packed his bag on Sunday. He learned of the crossing’s opening and said the facility offers scant care.
“Many people have died while waiting for treatment, and I may die today, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow while I’m waiting for treatment,” he told CNN. “Until now, not a single patient has been allowed to leave.”
Gaza’s Palestinian Ministry of Health says more than 20,000 patients await approval to seek treatment abroad. This includes at least 440 life-threatening cases. Around 1,300 have died from delays in leaving for care.
Steep fees and drawn-out security procedures block most from using the crossing. Before the 2024 closure, some paid thousands of dollars to pass. Few could afford it.
Israel held off on reopening until all hostages returned. The last deceased one, Ran Gvili, came back last week. His return and the crossing’s restart end the ceasefire’s first phase. That phase followed a 20-point plan.
Two weeks ago, President Donald Trump started phase two. He launched his Board of Peace in Davos. Ali Shaath heads the Palestinian technocratic committee set to manage Gaza. At the event, he called the reopening “a lifeline and symbol of opportunity.”