The key border crossing at Rafah in Gaza reopened to Palestinians on Monday, an Israeli security official said, but state-affiliated Egyptian media reported that only 50 people would be allowed to cross in each direction in the first few days.
The resumption of operations comes after Israeli forces took control of this gateway to Egypt in May 2024, during the war with Hamas, declared a terrorist organization by the US.
A partial resumption of operations began on Sunday, in a very limited phase that did not involve the movement of people, after months of calls from aid groups.
“As of this moment, and following the arrival of EUBAM teams on behalf of the European Union, the Rafah crossing point is now open for the movement of residents, both for entry and exit,” the Israeli official said, referring to the European border assistance mission.
State-affiliated Egyptian media reported that 50 people were expected to cross in each direction in the first days of the reopening.
AlQahera News, affiliated with state intelligence, reported citing an unnamed source that “fifty people will leave Egypt for Gaza and fifty people will come from Gaza,” in the first days of the operation.
A source at the border told AFP that several dozen people arrived on the Egyptian side on Monday awaiting entry into Gaza.
However, Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported that around 150 people were expected to leave Gaza for Egypt on Monday, including 50 patients.
The report said that about 50 others were also expected to enter the territory, adding that the crossing would be open for about six hours a day.
“The Rafah crossing is a lifeline,” said Mohammed Nassir, a Palestinian who had his leg amputated after being injured early in the war.
“I need to undergo an operation that cannot be performed in Gaza, but can be done abroad.”
Rafah is considered a key entry point for aid into Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain dire after two years of war, despite a ceasefire in effect since October 10.
The crossing has been closed since Israeli forces took control of it in May 2024 during the war with Hamas, except for a brief and limited reopening in early 2025.
COGAT, the Israeli Defense Ministry body that coordinates Palestinian civilian affairs, made no mention of allowing a long-awaited increase in aid, speaking only of the passage of individuals “in both directions.”
Cairo News, the Egyptian state media, reported that the Egyptian side of the crossing would remain open “24 hours a day
