The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip will reopen in both directions next week, marking a pivotal development for Palestinian mobility and regional diplomacy. Ali Shaath, head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, confirmed the decision on Thursday, calling it a "lifeline and symbol of opportunity" for Gaza residents.
The reopening aligns with the 2025 Gaza truce plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, though implementation delays persisted until now. Shaath emphasized the crossing’s symbolic importance, stating it demonstrates Gaza is "no longer closed to the future and the world."
Israel, which has controlled the Rafah crossing since 2024, has not yet commented on the announcement. Observers speculate the move could ease humanitarian aid flows and family reunifications while testing fragile regional coordination mechanisms.
For Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, the crossing represents their sole exit point not directly administered by Israel. Its reopening comes amid heightened global scrutiny of mobility restrictions in conflict zones.
