Israel will reopen Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt on Sunday, after nearly 2 years of closure

JERUSALEM: Israel said on Friday it would reopen Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt in both directions over the weekend, allowing Palestinians to enter and leave the area after a nearly two-year closure.

COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating aid to Gaza, said in a statement on Friday that “only limited movement of people” would be allowed.

The reopening of the Rafah Border Crossing on Sunday will be an important step forward for US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan. The crossing, Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world, has been largely closed since May 2024.

Both Israel and Egypt will screen people entering and exiting the crossing point, which will be inspected by European Union border patrol officers.

Palestinians who left Gaza during the war will be allowed to return after obtaining Israeli security clearance.

Israel has resisted reopening the crossing, but the recovery of the remains of Gaza’s last hostage on Monday paved the way for progress.