Israel announces pilot reopening of Rafah crossing

JERUSALEM -- The Rafah crossing, Gaza's main gateway to the outside world, has reopened for a trial run ahead of the planned passage of Palestinians on Monday, Israel announced Sunday.

The reopening of the crossing, which connects the Gaza Strip with Egypt, is a key step under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire that took effect on Oct 10, 2025.

"The Rafah crossing has reopened for movement of people only," said the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, a body under Israel's Defense Ministry. It added that today's opening was a pilot to "test and assess the operation of the crossing."

"The movement of residents in both directions, entry and exit to and from Gaza, is expected to begin tomorrow," the office said.

Photos circulated on social media showed members of a European Union delegation tasked with operating the Rafah crossing entering Gaza on Sunday morning via the crossing.

Israeli officials said over the weekend that the crossing would reopen on Sunday to allow Palestinian residents to exit and enter Gaza, subject to Israeli approval.