AFP, Rafah

Gaza’s key Rafah border crossing was reopened to Palestinians yesterday, an Israeli security official said, but Egyptian state-linked media said only 50 people would be allowed to cross in each direction in the early days.

The resumption of operations comes after Israeli forces seized control of the gateway to Egypt in May 2024 during the war with Hamas.

A partial resumption of operations began on Sunday in a tightly restricted pilot phase that did not involve travel of people, following months of appeals from aid groups.

“As of this time, and following the arrival of the EUBAM teams on behalf of the European Union, the Rafah crossing has now opened to the movement of residents, for both entry and exit,” the Israeli official said. Egyptian state-linked media reported that 50 people were expected to cross in each direction in the first days of the reopening.