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50 Palestinians expected to cross the border in each direction, Egyptian state-run media reports
The number of people moving through the crossing is expected to be very limited, with the restriction that only those traveling on foot can move across the border.
In the first days of the reopening, just fifty people are expected to cross the border between Gaza and Egypt in each direction, Egyptian state-linked media reported on Monday.
Earlier, an Israeli defence official said the crossing could hold between 150 and 200 people altogether in both directions. There would be more people leaving than returning because patients left together with escorts, the official added. Lists of people due to pass through the crossing had been submitted by Egypt and approved by Israel, the official said.
Reopening the border crossing was a key requirement of the first phase of the US president Donald Trump’s plan to end the conflict. But the ceasefire, which came into effect in October after two years of fighting, has been repeatedly shaken by rounds of violence.
Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed more than 500 Palestinians since the ceasefire began, local health officials say, and Palestinian militants have killed four Israeli troops, according to Israeli authorities.
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Opening summary
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the situation in Gaza, where Israel has reopened the border between Gaza and Egypt in a limited capacity. The crossing has largely been closed since May 2024.
The reopening is being coordinated with Egypt and the European Union, Cogat, the Israeli agency charged with administration of Gaza, said.
It added that the movement of Palestinians between Egypt and Gaza, permitted on foot only, would be allowed “only after prior security clearance by Israel,” with both Israel and Egypt imposing caps on the number of travellers crossing through the border.
Earlier, Cogat said it expects “movement of residents in both directions, entry and exit to and from Gaza.”
Many of those hoping to leave are sick and wounded people in need of medical care abroad – but the process may be a slow one.
Following initial identification and screening at the crossing crossing by the EU mission, there will be another screening process at a “designated corridor, operated by the defence establishment in an area under IDF control,” Cogat said.
The Palestinian health ministry has said there are about 20,000 patients waiting to leave Gaza.
The reopening of the Rafah border crossing comes as Israel launched some of its deadliest strikes in Gaza in months over the weekend, killing at least 30 Palestinians, including those who were seeking shelter in tent cities.
Since the start of ceasefire last October, more than 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
