Israel Will Reopen the Rafah Crossing to Allow Palestinians to Exit Gaza

Israel announced it will reopen the Rafah border crossing to allow Palestinians to leave Gaza, in line with a U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement. The move comes as Israeli authorities confirmed that recently returned remains did not match the two hostages still missing, a factor that could affect the first phase of the ceasefire. Palestinian groups have said they are continuing to search for the missing hostages amid the rubble of Gaza.

The initial phase of the ceasefire plan includes returning all hostages’ remains. A broader 20-point plan outlines the creation of an international stabilization force, the formation of a technocratic Palestinian government, and the disarmament of militant groups. Humanitarian concerns remain urgent: the World Health Organization reports more than 16,500 sick and wounded Palestinians require medical evacuation from Gaza.

The Rafah crossing will operate under Israeli security approval and in coordination with Egypt and European Union monitors. Palestinians seeking to leave will be allowed to exit, though return to Gaza will not be permitted. The crossing has been mostly closed since May 2024, reopening briefly earlier this year for medical evacuations.

Despite the ceasefire, violence continues. A Palestinian man was reportedly killed in Gaza, while both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement. Since the ceasefire began, 20 living hostages and the remains of 26 others have been returned. The exchanges of hostages and bodies remain central to implementing the agreement and maintaining the fragile ceasefire, which followed a major attack by militants that killed over 1,200 people in Israel and took hundreds hostage.