Rafah border

Head of new Gaza leadership Ali Shaath says Rafah Crossing opens 'window of hope' for Gazans

Israel fully reopened the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Monday for people on foot, a day after rolling out a limited, one-day pilot on Sunday to address potential logistical issues.

|ByMAYA ZANGER-NADIS
A Palestinian patient, accompanied by relatives, waits to leave Gaza for treatment abroad through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt after it was opened by Israel on Monday for a limited number of people, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, February 2, 2026.
A vehicle carries Egyptian soldiers near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Egypt, August 6, 2025

Rafah Border Crossing will be test for Gaza’s next stage - analysis

Regional expectations are growing that the Rafah crossing will reopen this week, but doubts remain over how fully Israel will allow movement, as the ceasefire enters a critical stage.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Military personnel stand guard on the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, October 31, 2023

Rafah border crossing to reopen next week with Israeli oversight, advanced screening

Israel plans to oversee the Rafah border reopening next week, using remote monitoring and advanced screening to prevent weapons smuggling while ensuring security for travelers.

|ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
Palestinians walk along a street flooded by rainwater in the city of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on January 13, 2026.

Who is Ali Shaath, leader of Gaza's new technocratic committee? - explainer

The committee is expected to meet for the first time on Thursday in Egypt, crossing the Rafah border, a Palestinian source told Agence France-Presse.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

First Americans and other foreign nationals flee Gaza through Rafah

At least 320 foreign nationals and dozens of severely injured Gazans were among the first beneficiaries of the Qatari-mediated deal brokered between Egypt, Israel and Hamas. 

NOVEMBER 1, 2023ByTOVAH LAZAROFF, REUTERS
Egyptian quarantine doctors conduct medical examinations for foreign passport holders after their arrival at the Rafah crossing from Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terroristgroup Hamas in Rafah, Egypt November 1, 2023 in this handout picture courtesy of the Egypti

Biden pledges Gazans will have food, water as aid trucks enter Rafah

Israel imposed a total blockade and launched air strikes on Gaza in response to a deadly attack on Israeli soil by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

OCTOBER 21, 2023ByREUTERS, TOVAH LAZAROFF
UN workers gesture as trucks carrying aid arrive at the Palestinian side of the border with Egypt, as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian terrorist group Hamas continues, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, October 21, 2023.

Egypt repairing roads at Gaza crossing ahead of aid delivery

Israel's bombardment and siege of Gaza is in retaliation for a devastating Hamas incursion into Israel on Oct. 7 during which 1,400 people were killed and hostages were taken.

OCTOBER 19, 2023ByREUTERS
Trucks carrying humanitarian aid from Egyptian NGOs for Palestinians, wait for the reopening of the Rafah crossing at the Egyptian side, to enter Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt October 17, 2023.

Canada PM calls for immediate humanitarian corridor into Gaza

Canada fully supported Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international law, but "even wars have rules," he told the House of Commons lower chamber of parliament.

OCTOBER 16, 2023ByREUTERS
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds up a sign with attendees during a pro-Israel rally at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada October 9, 2023.

Egypt opens Rafah crossing with Gaza until further notice

The 365-sq km (141-sq mile) Gaza strip, controlled by Hamas, is home to around 2 million Palestinians. An Israeli-led blockade has put restrictions on the movement of people and goods for years.

FEBRUARY 9, 2021ByREUTERS
A Palestinian woman waits before leaving Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which was reopened for the first time since it was closed in March over Covid-19 concerns, in the southern Gaza strip August 11, 2020.

Egypt pumps toxic gas into smuggling tunnel, killing two Palestinians

Palestinians resume night clashes along Gaza border with Israel; one mortar launched from Strip lands next to security fence.

FEBRUARY 11, 2019ByANNA AHRONHEIM
A Palestinian fighter takes part in a tunnel attack simulation during a graduation ceremony in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, last November

Egypt limits passage of Palestinians through Rafah after PA removes forces

Human rights groups say Rafah has been the sole exit point from Gaza for an estimated 95 percent of its population of 2 million.

JANUARY 8, 2019ByREUTERS
A woman gestures as she waits to travel into Egypt through Rafah border crossing after it was opened by Egyptian authorities for humanitarian cases, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Report: Hamas takes responsibility for managing Rafah crossing

The decision for the Palestinian Authority to leave the area was made in response to Hamas's "measures."

JANUARY 6, 2019ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Palestinians wait for travel permits to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing after it was opened by Egyptian authorities for humanitarian cases, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Egypt to temporarily open Rafah border crossing

Egypt last opened the crossing more than two weeks ago.

APRIL 11, 2018ByADAM RASGON
A girl sleeps on a suitcase as she waits with her family for a travel permit to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing

Thousands of Palestinians jam Gaza border, temporarily opened by Egypt

Egypt tends to open the frontier temporarily a few times a year, usually with short notice and little explanation.

FEBRUARY 8, 2018ByREUTERS
A girl sleeps on a suitcase as she waits with her family for a travel permit to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing