A. Rahman
After more than a year of almost complete closure, Gaza’s main border crossing at Rafah with Egypt was active again on Sunday as limited travel preparations moved forward, marking a significant development in the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire process. The shift comes as hopeful signs emerge that Palestinians in the war-scarred territory may soon be able to move in and out of Gaza after nearly two years without regular access to the outside world.
Israeli military coordination officials said the crossing, which was seized by Israeli forces in May 2024, was being prepared for fuller operation. A test opening on Sunday allowed security patrols and a handful of vehicles to enter, including ambulances, while truckloads of humanitarian goods lined up for inspection by Israeli authorities.
Palestinian security personnel also moved through the Egyptian side of the border to work with a European Union supervision mission that will oversee travel in both directions once operations begin in earnest. An official involved in the planning said limited travel could start by Monday, with Israel and Egypt vetting people approved to exit or return.
Officials described the reopening as a critical step in the ceasefire agreement brokered last year, which aims to transition Gaza from conflict toward a phase of humanitarian relief and rebuilding. Before the war, Rafah was the main route for Gazans to leave the territory, and many families and patients have been cut off from medical care, work, and travel for months.
Under the current plan, a limited number of people are expected to cross at first, including sick patients waiting for urgent treatment outside Gaza and Palestinians who fled the enclave during the recent fighting and now hope to return home. Palestinian officials have urged that travel rights expand over time as the system proves secure and manageable.
The Rafah crossing has a symbolic as well as practical importance. Its full closure during the height of hostilities left Gaza almost completely isolated from the world, exacerbating a widespread humanitarian crisis. Aid groups and families have been pushing for its reopening for months, with advocates saying that restoring movement is essential for relief, economic stability, and family reunification.
Despite the positive steps, challenges remain. Israel continues to require strict vetting of travelers, and Gaza’s devastated infrastructure particularly in health care complicates efforts to evacuate patients or bring in critical support. Still, the reopening reflects a fragile but hopeful moment in efforts to ease the effects of years of conflict.
Summary:
After nearly two years of closure, Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt showed renewed activity Sunday as officials conducted a test opening in preparation for limited travel beginning Monday. The crossing, controlled by Israel since May 2024, will initially allow vetted residents, including patients needing medical care and those who fled the territory, to move in and out under coordinated supervision with Egypt and the European Union. The move is seen as a key step in implementing the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and easing Gaza’s long-standing isolation.
