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Israel will partially reopen the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on Sunday as part of the second phase of the Gaza truce. This will be the first such move since a brief and restricted reopening earlier in 2025.
The decision comes after the remains of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza, were recovered and buried earlier this week.
According to COGAT, the Israeli defense ministry body managing civil affairs in Palestinian territories, the crossing will initially permit "limited movement of people only" and will function under security coordination with Egypt and supervision by the European Union mission.
While the reopening is intended to allow the movement of individuals in both directions, precise numbers and categories of permitted travelers remain uncertain. Entry and exit will be subject to prior Israeli security clearance.
A source at the border told AFP that the first day would focus on logistical arrangements, with full movement expected to begin Monday. Three sources at the crossing said wounded individuals would be given priority on the first day.
The Rafah crossing is the only entry point into Gaza that does not go through Israeli territory. It has been under Israeli control since May 2024 but lies in an area now governed by the so-called "Yellow Line" under the second phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10.
The second phase calls for the reopening of the crossing and the establishment of a transitional civilian body for Gaza.
The 15-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a Palestinian technocratic entity led by former Palestinian Authority official Ali Shaath, is expected to enter Gaza upon reopening.
The group will oversee basic governance for Gaza’s 2.2 million residents under the supervision of the "Board of Peace," chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Despite the ceasefire, violence still persists, as Gaza’s civil defense agency reports that Israeli airstrikes killed at least 32 people, including children, on Saturday.
Hamas has demanded the full reopening of the crossing in both directions following the return of Gvili’s remains.
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