Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened on Monday with sharply limited access, allowing only a small number of people to travel in either direction and barring the movement of goods. The reopening is part of the Israel–Hamas ceasefire framework but remains largely symbolic on the ground, as no visible crossings were reported in the initial hours of operation.

An Egyptian official said around 50 Palestinians were expected to cross in each direction on the first day. Gaza health officials estimate that nearly 20,000 Palestinian children and adults requiring urgent medical treatment are hoping to leave the besieged territory through Rafah. Thousands of Palestinians stranded outside Gaza are also seeking to return home. Egyptian state media and an Israeli security official separately confirmed the reopening.

Rafah had been Gaza’s primary gateway to the outside world before the war, with all other crossings controlled by Israel. Under the ceasefire terms, Israel’s military continues to control the corridor between the crossing and areas where most Palestinians live. While Israel and Egypt will jointly vet travelers, the crossing will be overseen by European Union border officials, with a limited Palestinian presence.

Also Read: Israel Insists Gaza Media Ban Should Stay Despite Ceasefire

Egyptian authorities said about 150 hospitals across the country are prepared to receive patients evacuated from Gaza, while the Egyptian Red Crescent has set up “safe spaces” on the Egyptian side to assist evacuees. Since the war began, Israel has barred patients from seeking treatment in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, cutting off a key medical outlet for Palestinians.

Despite the crossing’s reopening, violence continued in Gaza. Hospital officials said an Israeli naval strike hit a tent camp in the Muwasi area near Khan Younis, killing a three-year-old boy. Israel’s military said it was reviewing the incident. Gaza’s health ministry reported that more than 520 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire took effect in October.

Israeli forces seized the Rafah crossing in May 2024, citing concerns over arms smuggling, and it was only briefly opened for medical evacuations during an earlier truce in 2025. The current reopening is viewed as a key step as the US-brokered ceasefire enters its second phase, which aims to expand aid flows, stabilize governance in Gaza, and lay the groundwork for eventual reconstruction if the truce holds.

Also Read: US Envoys Press Netanyahu to Advance Gaza Ceasefire Phase 2