Israel Announces Limited Reopening of Rafah Crossing

Israel has announced a “limited reopening” of the Rafah border crossing, on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The decision comes as part of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10th. The opening will be exclusively for pedestrians and will be subject to full Israeli inspection. The announcement was made by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via X (formerly Twitter), stating that the move is part of the plan of former US President Donald Trump. The agreement provides for the reopening of Rafah, but with strict limitations and Israeli control. Further details have not been given regarding how the inspection mechanism will operate or the timeline for the full reopening of the crossing. The limited reopening is expected to facilitate the movement of people, but will remain under strict surveillance. The decision comes at a critical time, as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains severe. Access to basic supplies and the ability of residents to move are vital to addressing the crisis.