Gaza's main border crossing in Rafah will reopen for Palestinians later on Monday, Israel said, with preparations underway at the war-ravaged enclave's main gateway that has been largely shut for almost two years.
Before the war, the Rafah border crossing with Egypt was the only direct exit point for most Gazans to reach the outside world as well as a key entry point for aid into the territory. It has been largely shut since May 2024 and under Israeli military control on the Gazan side.
COGAT, the Israeli military unit that oversees humanitarian coordination, said the crossing will reopen in both directions for Gaza residents on foot only and its operation will be coordinated with Egypt and the European Union.
It made no mention of allowing in a long-hoped-for surge of humanitarian aid.
Humanitarian conditions remain dire in Gaza 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 2024 during the war with Hamas, aside from a brief and limited reopening in early 2025.
Israel has said the crossing would open under stringent security checks only for Palestinians who wish to leave the war-ravaged enclave and for those who fled the fighting in the first months of the war to return.
Many of those expected to leave are sick and wounded Gazans in need of medical care abroad. The Palestinian health ministry has said that there are 20,000 patients waiting to leave Gaza.
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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