Israel Agrees to Limited Reopening of Rafah Crossing. Gaza Strip, 2026-01-26 — Israel has announced a “limited reopening “of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, as part of Donald Trump’s peace plan.
The crossing, which has been largely closed since May 2024, will now be open for pedestrian passage only and subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism, according to a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office on Sunday night.
The Rafah crossing is a crucial entry point for humanitarian aid in Gaza. Its closure has been a source of concern for both humanitarian organizations and the United Nations, who have repeatedly called for its reopening. Despite the ceasefire in Gaza coming into effect on October 10, Israeli authorities had resisted the move, stating that the crossing’s reopening was “conditioned “upon the return of all living and deceased hostages.
On Monday, Israel announced it had retrieved the remains of the last hostage in Gaza, a police officer named Ran Gvili. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recovery of Ran Gvili’s body as “an incredible achievement “for Israel and its soldiers.
The United Nations welcomed the recovery of the last Israeli captive and called for the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire plan.
The limited reopening of the crossing is seen as a significant development, potentially easing the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
However, details regarding the duration and extent of the crossing’s operation remain unclear. Officials have not yet commented on the specifics of the inspection mechanism or the expected impact on the flow of humanitarian aid.
The situation continues to be closely monitored by regional and international actors. Further details are expected as the limited reopening unfolds.
