Isra'el reopens Gaza’s Rafah border after nearly 2 years of closure.

Israel reopens the Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt after nearly two years on a trial basis to test security screening as thousands of sick and wounded Palestinians seek urgent medical care abroad.

The crucial crossing, which has been largely closed since Israel seized it in May 2024, underwent a series of preparations from the European Union, Egypt, and other parties that will be involved in running the crossing, according to Israel’s Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).

The crossing will only be open for the “limited passage of residents only,” COGAT made clear, but it did not give a date for how soon residents will be allowed to cross. Ali Shaath, the head of the Palestinian technocratic committee that is supposed to run Gaza, said on social media that the crossing will open in both directions on Monday.

Rafah Reopens came a day after one of the bloodiest days since an October “ceasefire” took hold, in which at least 31 Palestinians – including six children – have been killed in multiple Israeli air raids on northern and southern Gaza.

Israeli forces have now killed at least 509 Palestinians and wounded 1,405 others since the start of the “ceasefire”.