Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt reopened in a tightly controlled “pilot” operation, allowing limited movement in both directions after a long period of closure and restrictions that intensified when Israeli forces took control of the crossing area in May 2024.
Early movement is capped. Multiple reports said the initial phase would allow about 50 people to cross in each direction per day, with the first groups including patients and other approved travelers.
The reopening is being carried out under heightened security and international monitoring arrangements, with screening procedures on both sides. Reporting described the sequence as clearance at the Egyptian gate followed by additional security checks before entry/exit is finalized.
Officials framed the move as a key step tied to a truce framework and humanitarian logistics, but also emphasized that it is not a full return to normal operations. The pilot structure suggests authorities are testing throughput, security coordination, and monitoring mechanisms before any broader expansion of crossings.
For many families, the limited scale highlights the gap between symbolic reopening and practical relief: demand for medical evacuations and travel permissions is far larger than the initial daily quota, meaning waiting lists and strict eligibility rules will remain central to who can move.