GAZA CITY — The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt began a trial phase on Sunday, marking the first step toward reopening the passage that has been largely closed for nearly two years. The partial reopening allows a limited number of Palestinians to leave the war-torn enclave and completes the first phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.
The crossing, controlled by Israel since May 2024, underwent preparatory work coordinated by the European Union, Egypt, and other parties involved in its management, according to Israel’s Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). Officials clarified that the initial reopening will only permit a restricted number of residents to cross, with no specific timetable yet for full operations.
Ali Shaath, head of the Palestinian technocratic committee overseeing Gaza, stated on social media that the crossing would operate in both directions starting Monday. He described the move as a symbolic step, signaling that “Gaza is no longer closed to the future and to the world.”
Despite the partial opening, access remains tightly controlled. An Israeli security official reported that 150 Palestinians per day will be allowed to leave Gaza, while only 50 can enter. High costs for passengers reportedly reaching thousands of dollars for some, and strict security procedures mean only a small number of residents can realistically travel.
The full reopening of Rafah was a condition of the first phase of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire, which took effect in mid-October. Israel had previously refused to reopen the crossing until all hostages, both living and deceased, were returned. The final deceased hostage, Ran Givili, was returned last week, enabling the completion of the first phase of the 20-point ceasefire deal.
The U.S. announced the start of the second phase of the ceasefire two weeks ago, coinciding with the launch of the Board of Peace by President Donald Trump in Davos.
The partial reopening of Rafah represents a cautious but significant step toward easing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and restoring limited connectivity with the outside world.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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