Politics Israel announces opening of Rafah crossing to Egypt
Israel has announced the opening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. "In accordance with the ceasefire agreement and a directive from the political leadership, the Rafah border crossing will be opened in the coming days exclusively for the departure of Gaza Strip residents to Egypt," said a statement from the responsible Cogat authority.
03.12.2025, 16:44
SDA
The exit of the residents will be made possible in cooperation with Egypt "after a security clearance has been given by Israel and under the supervision of the European Union mission - similar to the mechanism that was in force in January 2025," the statement published on Platform X continued.
Egypt denies
Egypt's State Information Service (SIS), however, denied Israeli media reports about an alleged vote to open the Rafah border crossing in the coming days for departures from the Gaza Strip.
Citing an official Egyptian source, the agency stated that in the event of an agreement to open the crossing, border traffic would take place in both directions - both for entry and exit from the Gaza Strip. This would be in line with the line formulated in US President Donald Trump's proposal.
The opening of the border to Egypt had already been announced following the entry into force of a ceasefire in the war between Israel and the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas on 10 October. However, the move was repeatedly delayed. Since then, Palestinians have only been able to leave the Gaza Strip via the Israeli Kerem Shalom crossing under strict restrictions.
Last opening at the beginning of the year
The Rafah crossing was last opened during a ceasefire at the beginning of the year. Injured people were able to be transported out of the embattled coastal strip in February. However, the border was then closed again. Even after the Rafah crossing has been opened for the movement of people, Israel does not want it to serve as a passageway for humanitarian aid deliveries. Since the crossing was captured by Israeli troops last year, these have mainly been transported to the coastal strip via the Kerem Shalom crossing.
It is planned that the EU Border Assistance Mission in Rafah (Eubam Rafah) will once again support border crossings there after the opening.
