Rafah border crossing

Israel announces Rafah Crossing reopening Wednesday for limited Gaza pedestrian traffic

The decision marks another effort to balance controlled civilian movement with Israeli security requirements, with the crossing limited to the movement of people, not goods.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Ambulances stand at the border crossing on February 2, 2026 in Rafah, Egypt.
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt opens to pedestrian traffic on Feb. 2, 2026.

Border crossings to Gaza were temporarily closed amid Operation Roaring Lion

Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) noted on March 2 that “Israel is not arbitrarily blocking aid into Gaza.”

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Ghassan Duhine (center) with members of the anti-Hamas Abu Shabab militia in the Gaza Strip, September 2025.

Israel-aligned Gazan militia operating in Rafah tunnels, aim to disarm Hamas - report

Abu Shabab, named for their founder, Yasser Abu Shabab, is an anti-Hamas, Israel-aligned resistance group operating within the Gaza Strip. 

|ByTZVI JASPER
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee looks on during an interview with Reuters in Jerusalem, September 10, 2025.

US Ambassador Huckabee says Rafah is opening slowly to not 'bring terrorists in, or take them out'

People entering and leaving Gaza through the Rafah border crossing have to be properly vetted to avoid terrorists entering or leaving Gaza, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN

Despite plan to open on Wednesday, Rafah crossing remains closed

The failure to open the crossing came approximately a month after Egypt brokered a deal between Hamas and Fatah to advance reconciliation efforts and restore the PA’s governing authority in Gaza.

NOVEMBER 15, 2017ByADAM RASGON
Gazans attempting to cross into Egypt at the Rafah crossing