Gaza Herald – After months of closure, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was set to reopen under a strict Israeli-monitored system, marking the start of the second phase of the prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.
According to reports, European observers and Palestinian staff were already stationed at the crossing, with teams trained for months to operate the checkpoint immediately upon reopening. Entry and exit procedures required pre-approval from Israeli security authorities, while passports were to be stamped by Palestinian officials.
An inspection corridor outside the terminal was established for security screening, monitored by Israeli personnel, though no physical searches were conducted directly by the Israeli army. The initial phase allowed 100–150 people to move daily, with numbers expected to adjust after the system was fully operational.
Israel received daily lists of approved individuals from Egypt, which were then checked by the Israeli security agency (Shabak) before granting exit or entry the following day. Only individuals, not vehicles, were permitted to pass during the initial reopening.
EU and Palestinian staff conducted primary inspections, while Israeli forces performed secondary checks in a controlled area to verify identities and prevent smuggling, according to Hebrew media outlets. The process closely resembled the mechanism activated during the January 2025 agreement, with remote Israeli oversight.
The phased reopening comes after Israel linked Rafah’s operation to completing security measures and the recovery of Israeli captives, delaying movement for thousands of patients, travelers, and civilians despite ongoing humanitarian needs in Gaza.
