Rafah — Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt has partially reopened, allowing the first groups of displaced Palestinians to return to the besieged territory after nearly two years. The returnees passed through the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s only remaining gateway to the outside world, amid ongoing restrictions and security concerns.
Navigating strict border controls, the threat of armed gangs, and continued airstrikes, the returning Palestinians described the journey as long and difficult. Despite the reopening, the Rafah crossing remains a major bottleneck, with only limited numbers of people permitted to cross in either direction.
Last week, dozens of Gaza residents who had traveled to Egypt for medical treatment were finally allowed to return to the war-ravaged enclave. Their passage marked the first significant movement of returnees since the crossing was shut down following Israel’s seizure of the Rafah land border in May 2024.
The full reopening of the Rafah crossing for the movement of people and goods was a central provision of the October ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as well as a key element of the Trump administration’s 20-point peace plan. However, four months later, restrictions imposed by Israel — and reportedly by Egypt — continue to limit access.
The Israeli military body responsible for administering civilian affairs in the occupied territories, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), said in a statement last week that a partial reopening of the crossing to passengers began on Sunday as a “pilot” initiative. The move, according to COGAT, is intended to “test and assess the operation of the crossing.”
While the limited reopening offers a measure of relief to displaced civilians, humanitarian groups warn that the continued restrictions at Rafah are slowing the return of residents and the delivery of critical aid. For many Palestinians, the journey home remains uncertain, underscoring the fragile nature of the current ceasefire arrangements.
