Rafah Crossing to be Reopened Next Week
Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, the region's main lifeline to the outside world, will reopen next week for two-way travel after months of near-total closure during the Israeli offensive, Palestinian officials said on Thursday.
The head of the newly formed National Committee for Gaza Administration, Ali Shaath, said preparations were being made to resume operations at the crossing, an important route for humanitarian aid, medical evacuations, and limited civilian movement.
The reopening will mark one of the most concrete steps to date to ease Gaza's isolation since the war erupted in October 2023.
"I am pleased to announce that the Rafah crossing will be opened next week in both directions for Palestinians in Gaza," Shaath said in a speech at a ceremony on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, launching Daily Sabah from Reuters (23/1).
He further described Rafah as a "lifeline and a symbol of opportunity," adding its reopening signifies Gaza "is no longer closed off to the future."
The reopening of Rafah is a key pillar of Phase Two of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas war and transition Gaza to a post-conflict government.
Rafah has been largely closed since the fighting escalated, exacerbating an already severe blockade and pushing Gaza deeper into a humanitarian crisis.
As Gaza's only border crossing not directly controlled by Israel, Rafah has historically served as a key conduit for patients seeking medical treatment abroad, students, aid workers, and limited commerce.
Within the current framework, the reopening of the crossing is linked to the establishment of a ceasefire, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and guarantees for the delivery of aid.
US officials have urged Israel in recent days to allow members of the technocratic committee to enter Gaza through Rafah, after an initial refusal.
The National Committee for Gaza Administration is an apolitical body of 15 people consisting of Palestinian professionals who are not affiliated with Hamas.
The committee was officially inaugurated by the White House earlier this month and is tasked with restoring essential services, coordinating the distribution of aid, overseeing internal security, and laying the foundation for long-term reconstruction at least until 2027.
The committee operates under the supervision of the Peace Council, whose mandate extends beyond Gaza to conflict mediation and broader reconstruction efforts.
If the reopening goes according to plan, Rafah's return to operation will provide a rare respite for Gaza's 2 million residents, restore some movement, speed up the flow of aid, and provide an early test of whether a fragile truce can be translated into lasting change.