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Rafah Crossing

Israel: Rafah Crossing to Open for Exit of Gazans; Egypt: We Won’t Allow One-Way Transit

On Wednesday, December 3, Israel said it plans to reopen the Rafah Crossing in the coming days to permit Palestinians to exit the Gaza Strip to Egypt, while Cairo publicly denied coordinating with Jerusalem on a renewed mechanism. Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) described the move as aligned with the ceasefire’s terms and political directives, with departures to occur following Israeli security approval and under European Union supervision—a setup similar to a framework used earlier this year.

An Israeli official, speaking on background, indicated the crossing would facilitate departures for those cleared to leave, conditional on Egypt’s agreement to receive them, but not for returns into Gaza. The EU was said to be adjusting logistics before openings could proceed. Questions remained about whether and when Gazans who depart would be allowed to return, and how medical cases—estimated by the UN to number at least 16,500—would be prioritized.

Rafah has long been the principal exit for authorized Palestinian travel, though it was closed by Egypt after Israel seized the Gaza-side crossing in May 2024 and briefly reopened during a short-lived truce in early 2025. The crossing has been central to Gaza’s humanitarian corridors amid a broader blockade designed to prevent the smuggling of weapons to terror groups.

(TOI/VFI News)

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 121:8