Israel will reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Sunday (1 February), allowing limited movement of Palestinians in both directions after nearly two years of closure, Israeli authorities said on Friday.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli body responsible for civilian coordination in Gaza, “the return of residents from Egypt to the Gaza Strip will be permitted, in coordination with Egypt, for residents who left Gaza during the course of the war only, and only after prior security clearance by Israel.”
European Union border patrol agents will supervise the crossing, and both Israel and Egypt will vet individuals for entry and exit.
The reopening marks a key step in implementing U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan. The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world, has been largely closed since May 2024.
Israel had previously resisted reopening the crossing.
Officials said the return Ran Gvili's remains to Gaza on Monday helped clear the way for the measure.
The move is expected to ease humanitarian constraints in Gaza, though travel will remain tightly controlled. Humanitarian groups have long called for the crossing to reopen, highlighting the severe restrictions on movement, trade, and medical access caused by the extended closure.
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U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees progress between Israel and Lebanon after talks with Netanyahu, while Hezbollah has rejected a new ceasefire proposal and Israel has ruled out a troop withdrawal.
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations against Iran, describing the report as entirely baseless and demanding a retraction.
The Eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly has concluded in Samarkand, bringing together representatives from 186 countries to set environmental priorities and approve new funding for climate, biodiversity and sustainable development initiatives.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said in a statement that its Aerospace Force did not strike the Kuwait Airport passenger terminal on Wednesday, and that the destruction was instead caused by a failed U.S. Patriot missile.
Five Azerbaijani citizens have been killed and three others injured following drone attacks on two cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire after U.S.-backed talks in Washington. The deal requires Hezbollah to halt attacks and withdraw from southern Lebanon, while both sides will resume direct talks later this month aimed at reaching a broader agreement.
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations against Iran, describing the report as entirely baseless and demanding a retraction.
As Armenia heads toward parliamentary elections on 7 June, the country's relationship with Azerbaijan is emerging as one of the defining issues of the campaign, with analysts and international observers highlighting the role of regional politics in shaping voters’ mindsets.
The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with around 600 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births.
Azerbaijan is once again at the centre of global climate diplomacy, hosting World Environment Day 2026 and bringing together international leaders, policymakers and organisations to address urgent environmental challenges.
The Eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly has concluded in Samarkand, bringing together representatives from 186 countries to set environmental priorities and approve new funding for climate, biodiversity and sustainable development initiatives.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who bear much of the responsibility for securing water for their families.
Azerbaijan is increasingly positioning itself as a strategic bridge between East and West, using a combination of diplomacy, energy cooperation and regional connectivity to expand its international influence.
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