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<h1>Israel to Reopen Gaza-Egypt Border Crossing</h1>
<p>JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel announced on Friday its plan to reopen the pedestrian <a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-ceasefire-rafah-crossing-netanyahu-palestinians-af5c54167d1addbfa1d8da5d9aaf05c8">border crossing</a> between the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Gaza Strip</a> and Egypt over the weekend, a significant move toward U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire initiative.</p>
<p>COGAT, the Israeli military organization responsible for coordinating <a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-humanitarian-aid-suspension-israel-ec535cea548ddc75080f1e6bffe53801">aid to Gaza</a>, stated that beginning Sunday, “limited movement of people only” will be permitted through the Rafah crossing, which is Gaza's primary link to the outside world.</p>
<p>This announcement came after Israeli Prime Minister <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire-dce5a67ee31c5310149121baa52ea14a">Ali Shaath</a>, recently appointed to lead the Palestinian administrative committee overseeing Gaza’s operations, indicated that the crossing would likely reopen soon.</p>
<p>The specifics of how the crossing will function after nearly two years of closure remain uncertain. While COGAT specified that the crossing would open in both directions on Sunday, Shaath mentioned that the initial day would serve as a trial, with travel in both directions expected to commence on Monday.</p>
<p>According to COGAT, both Israel and Egypt will screen individuals for entry and exit through the crossing, which will be monitored by <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/european-union">European Union</a> border patrol agents. In addition to checks at the crossing, Palestinians traveling will undergo screenings by Israel in the adjacent corridor, which remains under military control.</p>
<p>The crossing has been nearly closed since Israel took control in May 2024, citing efforts to cease cross-border arms trafficking by Hamas. It was briefly opened for medical evacuations during a short-lived ceasefire in early 2025.</p>
<p>Israel had been reluctant to reopen the crossing; however, the recent recovery of the remains of the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-rafah-26-1-2026-c0b373a26ef7f4524b9b2bdad766cfda">last hostage in Gaza</a> prompted progress. Following this, Netanyahu announced plans for a controlled reopening of the crossing.</p>
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