Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopens for limited travel

Egyptian and Israeli officials said the Rafah crossing reopened on Monday for a small number of passengers, with about 50 Palestinians allowed to cross in each direction on the first day and no goods permitted to enter.

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened on Monday for limited passenger movement, Egyptian and Israeli security officials said. The move follows terms of a ceasefire that began in October and is seen as part of implementing the agreement. Authorities described the opening as limited and closely supervised. The situation will be watched as the ceasefire advances toward its next phase. Current status: - Egyptian and Israeli officials confirmed the crossing opened with about 50 Palestinians allowed to cross in each direction on the first day. - Commercial goods and humanitarian shipments are not being allowed through at this stage. - Israel said it will allow 50 patients to leave Gaza each day, each accompanied by up to two relatives, and about 50 people who left Gaza earlier may return daily. - The crossing will be supervised by European Union border patrol agents, with Egypt and Israel vetting travelers, and authorities said numbers could increase over time if the system works. Summary: The reopening is a limited, monitored step intended to permit some movement, particularly for medical cases, while larger flows of aid and trade remain blocked. It comes as the ceasefire moves toward a second phase that calls for a Palestinian governing committee, deployment of an international security force and steps toward disarmament, but timing and full implementation are undetermined at this time.