Israel Reopens Gaza Border Crossing After Long Closure

JERUSALEM⁢ (AP) – Israel said Friday that it will reopen the pedestrian border crossing between the Gaza Strip ⁣and Egypt in both directions over the weekend, marking an ⁢vital step forward for ‍U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan.

COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of coordinating aid to gaza, said in a statement that starting on Sunday a “limited ⁢movement of people only” would be allowed through ‍the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world.

The proclamation followed statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ali Shaath, newly appointed to⁤ head the Palestinian administrative⁢ committee⁤ governing Gaza’s daily affairs, that it would likely open ⁢soon.

COGAT said both Israel and egypt will vet individuals for exit and entry through the crossing, which will be supervised by European Union border patrol agents.Along with screenings at the crossing, Palestinians leaving and returning will be screened by Israel in the adjacent corridor, which remains under Israeli military control.

the‍ crossing has been under a near complete closure since Israel seized it in May 2024, saying ⁢the step was part ⁤of a strategy to halt cross-border

A Red Cross convoy arrives to collect Israeli hostages who were⁤ released after a ceasefire agreement between‍ Israel and Hamas took effect, in⁣ Gaza City, Jan.⁢ 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Abed Hajjar,‍ File)