Israel to open Rafah only for Palestinians leaving Gaza

Israel has said it will open the Rafah crossing on the Egypt–Gaza border in the coming days, but only “exclusively” for Palestinians who want to leave the besieged enclave.

The move underscores growing fears that Israel is attempting to depopulate Gaza rather than restore Palestinians’ right to move freely across their own land.

In a post on X, Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said departures would take place in coordination with Egypt, but only after Palestinians receive so-called security clearance from Israel and pass through procedures overseen by a European Union mission.