The Rafah Crossing will reopen for movement in both directions beginning Wednesday for limited pedestrian traffic only, according to an Israeli announcement.
The decision followed a security assessment and a review of the conditions required to resume activity at the crossing while maintaining restrictions due to ongoing threats in the area.
Officials said the crossing would operate under the same mechanism used before its closure, subject to updated security directives. Entry and exit for Gaza residents will be coordinated with Egypt, require prior Israeli security approval, and take place under the supervision of the European Union mission.
The arrangement also includes additional screening and identification procedures along the Regavim route, which is operated by the defense establishment in an area under IDF control. The screening process is intended to form part of the broader security framework accompanying the reopening.
The decision marks another effort to balance controlled civilian movement with Israeli security requirements at one of Gaza’s most sensitive border points. Rafah has remained a focal point in discussions over movement, humanitarian access, and postwar administrative arrangements.
Crossing to operate under existing mechanism
Under the announced framework, the crossing will be limited to the movement of people, not goods. Authorities said operations would resume only within the bounds of the relevant security instructions and ongoing coordination between Israel and Egypt.
The reference to EU supervision reflects a mechanism that has previously been used at Rafah in various forms, particularly during periods when third-party monitoring was deemed necessary to facilitate passage while addressing Israeli security concerns. Israeli officials have repeatedly stressed that any reopening must include screening measures designed to prevent the transfer of hostile operatives or prohibited materials.