Israel to reopen Rafah Crossing, allows pedestrian movement in both direction after ceasefire

Rafah Crossing reopens under EU supervision

In line with the ceasefire agreement, Israel will reopen the Rafah Crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt for pedestrian movement in both directions on Sunday, the Defence Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced.

Detailing how the crossings will operate, COGAT said, “Exit from and entry into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah Crossing will be permitted in coordination with Egypt, following prior security clearance of individuals by Israel, and under the supervision of the European Union mission, similar to the mechanism implemented in January 2025.”

On the process for returnees, the coordinator added, “The return of residents from Egypt to the Gaza Strip will be permitted, in coordination with Egypt, for residents who left Gaza during the course of the war only, and only after prior security clearance by Israel.” He noted that “in addition to initial identification and screening at the Rafah Crossing by the European Union mission, an additional screening and identification process will be conducted at a designated corridor, operated by the defence establishment in an area under IDF control.”

Providing context on the scale of movement during the conflict, The Times of Israel reported that around 42,000 Gazans left the Strip during the war, most of them patients seeking medical care overseas or individuals holding dual citizenship.

Looking ahead, The Times of Israel said earlier this week that all Palestinians seeking to enter or leave Gaza will require approval from Egypt, which will forward names to Israel’s domestic security service for vetting. Israeli officials told the publication that applications would be reviewed individually, and any senior militant figures attempting to depart Gaza would be denied clearance.

Security checks at the crossing will be conducted by Palestinian Authority representatives, with European Union monitors overseeing screenings for those exiting the Strip, according to The Times of Israel. Israel will supervise departures remotely, using facial recognition technology from a control room to verify identities against an approved list before opening the gate to allow passage into Egypt.

Returnees will face tighter controls. Palestinians entering Gaza from Egypt will undergo Israeli security screening after crossing Rafah, arriving first at an Israel Defense Forces checkpoint before being permitted to continue toward Hamas-controlled areas inside Gaza.

The reopening of Rafah follows a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on 27 November 2023.