Israel agrees to 'limited reopening' of Rafah crossing, Netanyahu's office says
Israel has approved a "limited reopening" of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, following talks with US envoys in Jerusalem.
"As part of President Trump's 20-point plan, Israel has agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism," Netanyahu's office said on X.
The reopening of the crossing was conditioned upon the return of all living captives and a 100 percent effort by Hamas to locate and return all deceased captives, the office said.
The reopening of the Rafah crossing, included in the ceasefire deal brokered by President Donald Trump 10 October, has also long been demanded by the United Nations and humanitarian organisations.
Israel earlier said it would reopen the crossing with Egypt for the passage of people only after an operation to locate the body of Ran Gvili, the last remaining Israeli captive, in the enclave is completed.
According to Israeli media, Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, urged Netanyahu to reopen Rafah without waiting for the return of Gvili’s remains.
The Rafah border crossing is a crucial entry point for humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and one of the main exit routes for Palestinians. Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
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