Israel said it had partially reopened the Rafah crossing between the devastated Gaza Strip and Egypt on Sunday, following months of appeals from aid groups, though access is limited to pedestrians.
COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body coordinating Palestinian civilian affairs, made no mention of allowing in a long hoped-for surge of humanitarian aid, and clarified that the passage of individuals through the gateway in both directions was expected to begin Monday.
Rafah is considered a key entry point for supplies into the devastated Palestinian territory, where humanitarian conditions remain dire after two years of war despite a ceasefire in place since 10 October.
The crossing has been closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024 during the war with Hamas, aside from a brief and limited reopening in early 2025.
COGAT said on Sunday that the "Rafah Crossing was opened today for the limited passage of residents only", but later added that the "movement of residents in both directions, entry and exit to and from Gaza, is expected to begin tomorrow".
An official at Gaza's health ministry said that about 200 patients were waiting to be permitted to leave the territory once the crossing opened.
Footage showed a queue of ambulances at the crossing on the Egyptian side, though sources told the Agence France-Presse news agency none had been allowed into Gaza yet.
"The opening of Rafah opens a small door of hope for patients, students and people in Gaza," Amin Al-Hilu, 53, who lives in a tent in the territory's Al-Shati camp, told the agency.
"We need the crossing to fully open for travel and bringing in goods without Israeli restrictions, and this I think will require major pressure on Israel."
Israel had previously said it would not reopen the crossing until the body of Ran Gvili — the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza — was returned.
His remains were recovered days ago, and he was laid to rest in Israel on Wednesday, with COGAT announcing the reopening two days later.
COGAT described Sunday's reopening as "an initial pilot phase" coordinated with the European Union, adding that the parties were carrying out "preliminary preparations aimed at increasing readiness for full operation of the crossing".
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