DaysofPal – The Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt is expected to reopen in both directions in the coming days as part of the transition to the second phase of the prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.
The Hebrew-language website Ynet quoted an unnamed U.S. official saying that the next immediate step, based on understandings between Israel and the United States, is to reopen the Rafah crossing according to an agreed formula scheduled for implementation this week.
The U.S. official said a team of European monitors is already stationed at the crossing, working alongside local Palestinian staff, with the total number estimated at several dozen. According to the report, Palestinian employees will stamp the passports of travelers with Palestinian Authority seals, while the European team, which has been training for several months, is ready to begin operating the crossing without delay.
A security inspection corridor is set to be established outside the Rafah crossing complex. Security checks on those entering and leaving will be conducted under Israeli supervision.
The report noted that these procedures will not include physical searches, and Israeli army forces will not directly inspect travelers. Instead, Israeli security personnel will be present in the area to monitor operations at the crossing.
Initial estimates suggest that between 100 and 150 people will exit and enter Gaza each day during the first phase. These numbers are expected to change after inspection procedures are fully implemented and the crossing becomes fully operational.
Under the Israeli-American arrangement, Israel will receive daily lists from Egypt containing the names of those seeking to enter or leave Gaza. These lists will be forwarded to Israel’s internal security service for security screening. Individuals who receive approval will be allowed to travel the following day.
Israeli Channel 12 reported additional details on Tuesday regarding the operating mechanism. When travelers leave Gaza for Egypt, inspections at the Rafah crossing will be carried out by the European Union mission together with local Gaza staff approved by Israeli security authorities. This process will follow a similar model to the mechanism used under the January 2025 agreement and will take place under remote Israeli supervision.
For those entering Gaza from Egypt, the European mission will conduct an initial inspection and verify identities. A further security check will then be carried out by Israeli security agencies in an area under the control of the Israeli occupation forces. According to the report, the stated objective of these procedures is to prevent smuggling and ensure identity verification. All Gaza residents, whether entering or leaving, will be required to obtain prior approval from Israeli security authorities.
At this stage, the crossing will be limited to pedestrian movement only, with no vehicle traffic permitted. Egypt will submit passenger lists 24 hours in advance, and Israeli authorities will approve names based on pre-established criteria. While Ynet cited estimates of 100 to 150 travelers per day, Channel 12 reported that the daily quota has not yet been finalized, though a fixed daily number is expected to be set for those entering and exiting the Gaza Strip.
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