TEL AVIV: Israel will reopen the Rafah border crossing on Sunday for people to travel between Gaza and Egypt, a government agency said, the first opening of effectively the sole route in or out of the Palestinian territory since May 2024.
The Israeli government agency that coordinates civilian policy in Gaza, COGAT, did not say how many of Gaza's more than 2 million people would be allowed to cross the border per day.
"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", COGAT said.
Israel seized the border crossing in May 2024, about nine months into the Gaza war. Reopening it was an important requirement under the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan to stop fighting between Israel and Hamas, which followed a ceasefire agreed in October.
Israel had said it would reopen it only after recovering the body of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza, which took place this week.
Reuters previously reported that Israel wants to restrict the number of Palestinians entering Gaza through the border crossing with Egypt to ensure that more are allowed out than in. Egypt has not agreed to that.
A source familiar with the matter said the crossing would open despite ongoing discussions between Egypt and Israel over the issue, saying that Israel wants to allow around 150 people to come back per day.
The opening will solely allow the passage of people, even though Gaza remains in need of vital aid that humanitarian organisations say has been stymied by Israeli restrictions.
"Many people in Gaza are still living in the rubble without basic services, struggling to stay warm amidst harsh winter conditions", International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) president Mirjana Spoljaric said in a statement on Friday.
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