Rafah crossing prepares to reopen with limited travel Monday

Workers prepared Gaza’s Rafah border crossing to resume limited travel on Monday, with Israeli authorities saying only small numbers will be allowed to cross initially and medical evacuations prioritized.

Workers prepared Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt for a limited reopening scheduled to begin Monday, Israeli authorities said. The crossing reportedly opened in a test and will allow only a small number of people to cross at first, with medical evacuations prioritized. The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since Israel seized it in May 2024 and will be supervised by a European Union mission while Egypt and Israel vet travelers. Key details: - Israel said the crossing will resume on Monday after a test, with only a limited number of travelers allowed at first. - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said 50 patients needing medical evacuation may leave daily, each possibly accompanied by two relatives, and 50 people who left Gaza earlier may return each day. - Egypt and Israel will vet people for exit and entry, and EU border patrol agents are to supervise the crossing. - Israel’s Diaspora Ministry announced it is moving to terminate Doctors Without Borders’ operations in Gaza by Feb. 28 after suspending the group’s activities in December. Summary: The limited reopening is intended to allow medical evacuations and a small number of returns each day, while supervision and vetting procedures are put in place. Undetermined at this time.