Rafah crossing reopens for limited movement as Gaza ceasefire enters second phase

Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened on Monday in a pilot phase of limited operations , marking a cautious step forward as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire advances into its more complex second stage. The reopening is being treated by officials as a trial period, with daily movement subject to review based on security conditions and operational performance.

Under the current arrangement, authorities expect around 150 people to leave Gaza daily , while about 50 people are allowed to return , although numbers may be lower in the initial days. Israel has said it will permit up to 50 medical patients per day to exit Gaza for treatment, with each patient allowed to travel with two accompanying relatives . Another 50 Palestinians stranded abroad during the war are expected to be allowed back each day. Officials involved in the process say the number of travellers may increase gradually if the system functions smoothly.

The reopening is focused almost entirely on medical evacuations , and no goods or commercial cargo are being allowed through the crossing at this stage. Gaza health officials estimate that 20,000 to 22,000 patients urgently need treatment unavailable inside the territory, including cancer care, dialysis and complex surgeries. At current evacuation rates, health authorities warn it could take many months, or longer, to transfer all critical cases. Egypt has said it has prepared 150 hospitals across the country to receive Palestinian patients and wounded evacuees.

Movement through Rafah is subject to joint Israeli-Egyptian security vetting , with European Union border patrol agents supervising operations at the crossing alongside a limited Palestinian presence. The crossing is expected to operate only for a few hours each day during the pilot phase. Israeli forces continue to control the area between the crossing and Gaza’s main population centres, in line with ceasefire provisions.

For patients and families inside Gaza, the reopening has brought cautious hope mixed with deep uncertainty . Many say they have waited months or even years for permission to leave for life-saving treatment as local hospitals struggle with shortages of staff, equipment and medicines. Families of critically ill patients fear that the limited daily quotas mean help may come too late, while others worry they may be denied approval altogether under the strict screening system.

The Rafah crossing had been largely closed since Israeli troops seized it in May 2024 , citing efforts to prevent arms smuggling by Hamas. It was briefly opened for medical evacuations during a short ceasefire in early 2025, but sustained civilian movement did not resume until now. Israel had previously resisted reopening the crossing, but progress was made after the recovery of the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza, removing a key political obstacle.

The reopening comes as the US-brokered ceasefire , which took effect on October 10 last year, enters its second phase. The first phase focused on halting major fighting, hostage and prisoner exchanges , increased humanitarian aid and a partial Israeli troop withdrawal. The second phase calls for new governance arrangements for Gaza , the possible deployment of an international security force, steps toward disarming Hamas and the launch of early reconstruction efforts, though these issues remain highly contentious.