Israel partially reopened the Rafah crossing between the devastated Gaza Strip and Egypt yesterday following months of urging from humanitarian organisations, though access is limited to the movement of people.

The reopening comes as violence continues despite a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory, with Gaza’s civil defence agency reporting dozens killed in Israeli attacks on Saturday. The Israeli military said it was retaliating against violations of the truce.

The Rafah crossing is a vital gateway for both civilians and aid, but it had remained closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024 during the war, aside from a brief and limited reopening in early 2025.

COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body coordinating Palestinian civilian affairs, said yesterday that the “Rafah Crossing was opened today for the limited passage of residents only”.

An official at Gaza’s health ministry said that about 200 patients were waiting to be permitted to leave the territory once the crossing opened.