Gaza's Rafah crossing reopens with heavy Israeli restrictions and monitoring

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has reopened on Monday on both sides for the first time in nearly two years after Israeli forces destroyed it and kept it closed.

Following the announcement of a partial reopening on Sunday, Israel completed the establishment of a checkpoint inside the crossing early on Monday.

Under the new arrangement, 50 Palestinians will be permitted to enter Gaza from Egypt each day, while approximately 150 Palestinians will be allowed to leave the enclave daily.

The names of all travellers will undergo a security check and require prior approval from both Egypt and Israel.

Israeli forces, stationed in Rafah and along the Gaza–Egypt border, will not have a presence inside the crossing itself, which will be managed by a European Union team under the EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point.

However, Israeli forces will physically search those returning to the Gaza Strip after they leave the crossing. Israel will also be able to monitor those departing through facial recognition technology, according to Israeli media. 

The Rafah crossing is a crucial gateway for both civilians and aid, but has been closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024. 

Located on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, Rafah is the only crossing for pedestrians and goods that does not pass through Israel.

However, Israeli forces currently occupy Rafah, including the area where the crossing is located.

The reopening of the Rafah crossing, included in the ceasefire deal brokered by the US on 10 October, has also long been demanded by the United Nations and humanitarian organisations.

Medical evacuations 

Hamas welcomed the reopening of the Rafah crossing but warned that Israeli conditions were hindering the movement of travellers.

Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas member, accused Israel of imposing restrictions to make travel to and from Gaza difficult.

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The Palestinian movement also said it had completed the "necessary procedures" to transfer governmental and administrative authority to the newly established National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

NCAG is a 15-member Palestinian technocratic body established to oversee the day-to-day governance of the territory's 2.2 million residents.

The committee, established under the ceasefire deal, will be supervised by the so-called "Board of Peace" chaired by US President Donald Trump.

During the genocidal war on Gaza, Israeli authorities denied entry to healthcare delegations, medical treatments, and essential supplies.

According to the Gaza Government Media Office, an estimated 22,000 wounded people and patients remain on waiting lists for urgent evacuation.

Many hope to seek treatment abroad via the Rafah crossing. However, under current quotas, long waits are likely for most.