Israel has reopened Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt in what Israeli media described as a “pilot operation,” marking the first opening of the crossing in two years.
Israeli authorities said preparations are under way for the crossing to begin regular operations on Monday, marking the first step toward a broader reopening after nearly two years of closure.
Israel’s military body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs, COGAT, said a pilot phase is currently testing and assessing procedures, with movement of residents expected to start once preparations are completed. The operation is being coordinated with Egypt and a European Union mission supervising the Gaza side of the terminal.
According to COGAT, the crossing will reopen for Gaza residents on foot only and in both directions, in line with the ceasefire framework and directives from Israel’s political leadership.
Israeli officials said Egypt requested that initial departures from Gaza be limited to wounded and ill patients, along with their accompanying relatives.
Palestinian health officials say around 20,000 patients are waiting to leave Gaza for medical treatment abroad.
Two Egyptian officials said at least 50 Palestinian patients are being processed to cross into Egypt, with around 200 people per day expected to leave Gaza in the first days, including patients and family members. About 50 people are expected to return to Gaza daily.
An Israeli defence official said the crossing can handle between 150 and 200 people per day in total, with more people leaving than returning because patients travel with escorts.
According to COGAT, only Palestinians who previously left Gaza during the war and have received prior Israeli security approval will be allowed to re-enter the territory in the first stage.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Israel plans to establish a military checkpoint near the Gaza side of the crossing, a move Egypt has opposed.
Before the war, Rafah was Gaza’s only direct gateway to the outside world that does not pass through Israel and served as a key entry point for humanitarian aid. The crossing has been largely closed since May 2024 and under Israeli military control on the Gaza side.
Reopening Rafah is a key element of the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war. However, the ceasefire has remained fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations in recent weeks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees progress between Israel and Lebanon after talks with Netanyahu, while Hezbollah has rejected a new ceasefire ...
Azerbaijan is once again at the centre of global climate diplomacy, hosting World Environment Day 2026 and bringing together international leaders, po...
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations ag...
The Eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly has concluded in Samarkand, bringing together representatives from 186 countries to set environm...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tchiani in Ankara on Thursday, underscoring Türkiye’s growing engag...
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.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
The next time a goal goes in during a Champions League final, fans around the world could watch it from every angle at once — frozen, rotated and replayed in ways that were impossible only a few years ago.
An ageing, poorly insured shadow armada now accounts for around one-sixth of the world's tanker fleet. Hidden by design and fraught with risk, it operates beyond conventional oversight. A maritime law expert explains how it works, who profits, and why much of the world looks the other way.
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.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tchiani in Ankara on Thursday, underscoring Türkiye’s growing engagement with Africa’s Sahel region as geopolitical alliances continue to shift.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment