Israel reopens Gaza’s Rafah crossing ‘in pilot operation’ after nearly 2 years of closure

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been reopened as part of a “pilot operation” after nearly two years of closure, according to Israeli media on Sunday morning.

“The Rafah crossing has opened in a pilot operation,” the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

“According to estimates, the movement of people will actually begin tomorrow (Monday) in both directions, with about 150 people expected to leave the Gaza Strip daily, compared to about 50 who will return to it,” it added.

The paper said that Palestinians who left Gaza during the Israeli war will only be allowed to return to the enclave through the terminal.

“Israel would monitor the work at the terminal remotely using surveillance equipment, not directly by Israeli soldiers,” it added.

The daily said Egypt will send Israel a daily list of people who will cross the border in both directions over the next 24 hours.

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Israel “will allow a small number of wounded (Palestinian) gunmen to leave through the crossing if they wish, and in principle, all those who leave will be allowed to return,” the newspaper added.

No official statements were immediately issued by Israeli, Egyptian, or Palestinian authorities regarding the report.

A vital route for humanitarian aid, Israel captured the Rafah crossing in May 2024, almost nine months into Tel Aviv’s brutal war on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 71,000 people and injured over 171,000 others since October 2023.

The terminal was scheduled to be reopened in October under the first phase of a ceasefire deal, but Israel refused to do so until it receives the remaining of its last captive in Gaza, which took place this week.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued its attacks, killing 524 people and injuring 1,360 others since October 10, according to Gaza’s media office.

READ: At least 37 Palestinians killed, others injured in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza despite ceasefire