Israel to allow Gazans to leave via Egypt

After initially refusing to open Rafah to departures, in protest of Hamas delaying return of hostage bodies, Netanyahu greenlights opening of the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel is preparing to open the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt in the next few days, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday.

The Rafah crossing on the southern end of the Gaza Strip has remained closed to Gazans seeking to leave the Strip for most of the war, with limited transit permitted during the January 2025 ceasefire, and in late 2023.

Jerusalem was slated to open the crossing to Gazans seeking to leave the coastal enclave, but delayed the move in protest of Hamas’ failure to hand over the bodies of the last two hostages, violating the October ceasefire deal.

Now, however, Israel is gearing up to open the Rafah crossing despite the fact that the remains of two hostages have yet to be returned.

The Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced that “in accordance with the cease-fire agreement and under the guidance of the political leadership,” the IDF will soon be opening the Rafah crossing for outbound traffic.

Gazans seeking to leave the Strip via Egypt will be permitted to do so, a COGAT spokesperson said, though departing Gazans will need travel permits from Egypt.

“The departure of residents through the Rafah crossing will be possible in coordination with Egypt, after security approval by Israel and under the supervision of the European Union delegation, similar to the mechanism employed in January 2025,” COGAT said.

The announcement came two days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with President Donald Trump.

While Israel will permit Gazans to exit the Strip via Rafah, at this point, return travel back into Gaza via Rafah will not be allowed.