GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Israeli army announced Sunday evening that the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza will partially reopen in both directions starting Wednesday, allowing only limited movement of individuals.
In a press statement, the military said the decision followed a security assessment and a review of conditions that would permit operations at the crossing to resume, while maintaining security restrictions due to what it described as ongoing threats in the area.
The army explained that the crossing will operate under the same mechanism used before its closure. Travelers will be allowed to enter and exit Gaza in coordination with Egypt, after obtaining prior security approval from Israel, and under the supervision of the European Union Border Assistance Mission at Rafah.
It added that additional screening and verification procedures will be conducted at a checkpoint located in an area under Israeli military control as part of the established security measures.
The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories previously ordered the closure of Gaza’s crossings, including Kerem Abu Salem and Rafah, following the start of the Israeli-US military aggression against Iran on February 28.
The closure halted the entry of humanitarian and medical aid into Gaza at a time when the enclave has been facing worsening humanitarian conditions and severe shortages of basic supplies. It also disrupted civilian travel and prevented the departure of patients and wounded individuals awaiting medical evacuation abroad.
Israeli authorities had previously partially reopened the Rafah crossing in early February 2026, allowing a number of Palestinian patients and wounded individuals to leave Gaza and some Palestinians to return under Israeli conditions and after security approval, as part of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect in October 2025.
The Rafah crossing is the only land gateway linking the Gaza Strip to the outside world without passing through Israel. It is located in an area that has remained under Israeli military control since May 2024, after being reopened for limited periods in early 2025.
