COGAT said that entry and exit will be permitted in coordination with Egypt, following prior security clearance of individuals by Israel, and under the supervision of the EU mission.

Earlier on Friday, Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group, called for the immediate transition to the second phase of the Gaza plan, namely its provision for the reopening of the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world and a key route for medical travel.

The Israeli announcement represents a belated and restricted move, falling short of a full resumption of normal operations.

On Sunday, Israel agreed to a “limited opening” of the Rafah crossing for human passage only, under a full Israeli monitoring mechanism, with media reports suggesting it could open by Thursday.

However, the timeline was later pushed back as talks and security arrangements remained ongoing.

Egypt, which attributed Israel’s decision to pressure from the US, has insisted that it will only operate its side of the Rafah crossing if it allows for the return of Palestinians who wish to go back to Gaza as well.

Cairo has repeatedly rejected any unilateral steps that would turn the crossing into a one-way exit or make Egyptian territory an alternative destination for Gaza’s population.

Israel had previously promised on several occasions to allow the opening of the crossing, which is the only exit/entry point that Palestinians in Gaza have with Egypt aside from the other five crossings that are connected to Israel.

The delay was more about the desire of Israel to operate the crossing as a strict exit point for Palestinians who wish to leave Gaza.

The Rafah crossing has remained closed since May 2024, when Israeli forces bombed the facility and took control of the Palestinian side.

The closure has cut off civilian movement and blocked the delivery of essential aid, severely exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

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