Israel has announced the limited reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt, a move set to occur once the operation to recover the body of the last Israeli captive in Gaza is completed.
The decision, confirmed by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marks a cautious shift in the highly controlled passage between the Palestinian territory and Egypt, a route vital for the movement of people in and out of Gaza.
This announcement comes amid heightened tensions following continued Israeli attacks across Gaza that have left multiple Palestinians dead and many more injured.
The Rafah crossing, under Israeli military oversight since 2024, has long served as the main gateway for Palestinians seeking entry or exit from Gaza. According to Netanyahu’s office, the reopening will allow pedestrian passage only, conditional on the completion of efforts to recover all captives’ remains, particularly that of police officer Ran Gvili.
The Israeli military reported that its forces were searching a cemetery in northern Gaza near the so-called “yellow line,” the boundary separating Israeli-controlled areas from the rest of the Palestinian territory. Officials noted that there were multiple intelligence leads regarding Gvili’s possible location.
Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, has maintained that it provided Israeli mediators with detailed information regarding the last captive’s remains.
A spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, affirmed that the organization has fully complied with all ceasefire obligations, including returning the bodies of deceased captives.
“We are committed to closing this file permanently and have no interest in procrastination,” the spokesperson stated. Hamas called upon mediators to ensure Israel also fulfills its commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
The Rafah crossing, which had been slated to reopen during the initial phase of a US-brokered ceasefire in October, is essential for Gaza’s two million residents, who face limited access to essential services and humanitarian aid.
The crossing’s reopening, however, will be strictly pedestrian, subject to Israeli inspection, despite previous plans under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza truce framework calling for a full reopening to facilitate movement of people and goods.
Analysts have expressed concern that such limited access may exacerbate humanitarian challenges, while Israel retains control over all aspects of who enters or leaves Gaza.
Anthony Lowenstein, author of The Palestine Laboratory, criticized Israel’s plan, highlighting the potential for mass displacement.
“There are huge numbers of Palestinians stuck in Egypt for the past two years due to Israel’s blockade. Many want to return to help rebuild or see their families, but Israel appears to want Palestinians to leave permanently,” Lowenstein explained.
He further noted that the pedestrian-only reopening does not address the urgent need for humanitarian supplies, which remain stranded in Egyptian warehouses.
“Ultimately, this situation can only improve if the international community presses Israel to allow aid in,” he said.
Rami Khouri, a distinguished fellow at the University of Beirut, argued that Israel’s approach demonstrates a broader strategy of controlling Palestinian life.
“While Israel has agreed to the ceasefire proposal and Hamas has fulfilled its obligations, Israel continues to manipulate access to water, food, medical care, and humanitarian aid. Every aspect of Palestinian life remains under strict control,” Khouri said.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations across Gaza continue, with at least three Palestinians killed in separate incidents on Sunday. A drone strike in Gaza City wounded four others, while ground attacks east of Tuffah in northern Gaza City and southern Khan Younis claimed additional lives.
These attacks have killed over 480 Palestinians since the ceasefire began in October, adding to the staggering toll of 71,657 killed and 171,399 wounded over the past two years of conflict, according to health officials and local sources.
The reopening of the Rafah crossing comes as the Trump administration’s Gaza peace and development plan, unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos, continues to generate international debate.
The plan includes proposals for coastal tourism, free trade zones, and new infrastructure projects in Gaza. Critics, however, argue that the plan largely ignores the needs and voices of Gaza’s residents, many of whom are living in devastated conditions.
Access to the Rafah crossing has been a long-standing point of contention. Under previous arrangements, the crossing was to operate in both directions, facilitating the flow of goods, medical supplies, and people.
Israel’s insistence on controlling the reopening, limiting it to pedestrians only, raises concerns about the long-term impact on reconstruction efforts and humanitarian assistance.
Observers warn that this partial reopening may serve more as a tool of political leverage than a genuine humanitarian measure.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with widespread destruction and limited access to essential services. Over the past two years, Israeli attacks have reduced residential neighborhoods, medical facilities, and schools to rubble.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health has repeatedly called for unrestricted humanitarian access, emphasizing that residents face life-threatening shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Despite international appeals, Israel has maintained strict oversight of crossings into Gaza, citing security concerns.
Humanitarian agencies have warned that without significant international pressure, the pedestrian-only reopening of Rafah will do little to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians trapped in the territory.
Supplies of food, fuel, and medicine remain insufficient for the population, particularly in areas heavily affected by airstrikes and shelling.
The limited crossing does not address the larger problem of Gaza’s blockade, which continues to constrain both the movement of people and the import of essential goods.
In addition to humanitarian concerns, political tensions remain high. Israel’s announcement of the limited reopening coincides with ongoing negotiations between international mediators, Hamas, and Israeli officials over the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
The recovery of Gvili’s remains appears to be the final hurdle before broader movement across Rafah is permitted. How Israel chooses to manage the crossing going forward will have significant implications for Gaza’s residents, who continue to live under strict restrictions on daily life.
Read also: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says US security agreement ‘100% ready’ to be signed
Observers emphasize that while the ceasefire has reduced large-scale hostilities, the underlying issues of occupation, border control, and humanitarian access remain unresolved.
Palestinian families in Gaza continue to face uncertainty about their ability to travel, receive medical care, or reunite with relatives outside the territory.
Analysts warn that unless all parties adhere strictly to ceasefire agreements, including commitments to humanitarian access and reconstruction, the cycle of violence and hardship may persist.
In summary, Israel’s decision to reopen the Rafah crossing in a limited pedestrian capacity represents a tentative step in easing Gaza’s isolation.
While Hamas has reportedly fulfilled its obligations by returning captives and providing information about remains, Israel’s control over access and continued military oversight reflects ongoing concerns about security and political leverage.
Humanitarian groups and international observers continue to call for comprehensive measures to allow the safe and unimpeded movement of people and supplies, emphasizing that limited access alone cannot meet Gaza’s urgent needs.
