The Rafah border crossing, Gaza’s primary connection to the external world, has initiated a preliminary reopening procedure on Sunday following an extensive 18-month closure period. This development emerges as a significant implementation measure subsequent to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire enacted on October 10, 2025.
According to statements from Palestinian authorities conveyed to Xinhua, the present operation constitutes an experimental phase and does not presently impose restrictions on the transit of travelers or medical patients. The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), an agency operating under the Defense Ministry, confirmed the resumption of border operations exclusively for pedestrian movement, with comprehensive bidirectional transit anticipated to commence imminently.
A collaborative delegation comprising Palestinian, Egyptian, and European representatives is presently stationed at the crossing facility to conduct operational simulations and assess procedural readiness. Shadi Othman, the European Union’s media officer based in Jerusalem, characterized the event as a ‘trial simulation’ designed to evaluate on-ground operational capabilities through coordinated efforts with all involved stakeholders, including the European mission and Egyptian authorities.
Othman emphasized that the paramount objective during this preliminary stage remains ensuring the crossing’s operational capacity for seamless bidirectional civilian transit. Notwithstanding these developments, Gaza’s health authorities indicate that no formal notifications regarding specific movement schedules for patients or travelers have been disseminated, attributing this delay to pending finalization of official crossing registries and procedural arrangements.