The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt began a trial phase on Sunday ahead of its planned reopening that will allow a limited number of Palestinians to leave the war-torn enclave and completing the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire plan.
The crucial crossing, which has been largely closed since Israel seized it in May 2024, underwent a series of preparations from the European Union, Egypt, and other parties that will be involved in running the crossing, according to Israel’s Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).
The crossing will only be open for the “limited passage of residents only,” COGAT made clear, but it did not give a date for how soon residents will be allowed to cross. Ali Shaath, the head of the Palestinian technocratic committee that is supposed to run Gaza, said on social media that the crossing will open in both directions on Monday.
An Israeli security official told CNN that 150 Palestinians a day will be allowed to leave Gaza, but only 50 will be allowed to enter.
The full reopening of the Rafah crossing was part of the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement that went into effect in mid-October. But Israel refused to open the crossing until the return of all of the living and deceased hostages. The final deceased hostage, Ran Givili, was returned to Israel last week.
