Officials said the reopening is being carried out under tight security controls, with access restricted to specific humanitarian and administrative cases. Movement through the crossing remains heavily regulated, reflecting ongoing security concerns and the fragile nature of the current ceasefire arrangements.

The Rafah crossing is Gaza’s only gateway not directly controlled by Israel and has long served as a critical lifeline for civilians seeking medical treatment, travel, or family reunification. Its closure during the conflict significantly worsened humanitarian conditions inside the enclave, trapping millions of residents amid shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.

The partial reopening comes as part of broader ceasefire implementation efforts and follows international pressure to ease restrictions on civilian movement and humanitarian access. However, aid agencies warn that the limited scale of crossings remains far from sufficient to address Gaza’s extensive humanitarian needs after months of devastation.