Gaza border crossing buzzes with activity after years of near-complete closure

CAIRO — Activity picked up at Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt on Sunday after Israel announced that limited movement in and out of the territory will soon restart, ending years of near-total closure. The reopening of the crossing marks an important development as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues to take shape.

Israeli officials said the border crossing was opened on a trial basis. COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating aid to Gaza, confirmed that work is underway to make the crossing fully operational. According to the agency, Gazans will be allowed to travel through Rafah once final arrangements are completed.

An Egyptian official, speaking anonymously due to media restrictions, said Palestinian security personnel entered through the Egyptian side of the crossing and proceeded toward the Palestinian gate. They are expected to work alongside a European Union team assigned to oversee entry and exit procedures. The official also noted that ambulances were seen passing through the Egyptian gate as part of the initial activity.