Israel announces a partial reopening of Gaza’s vital Rafah crossing for limited passenger movement, following its closure during joint strikes on Iran.

JERUSALEM: Israel will partially reopen Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt this Wednesday.

The Israeli defence ministry agency COGAT announced the move for “limited movement of people only” starting March 18.

The crossing had been closed when Israel launched joint attacks on Iran with the US. It is the only gateway for Gazans to the outside world not passing through Israeli territory.

COGAT stated that movement from Wednesday “will be facilitated in coordination with Egypt, following prior security approval by Israel”. The European Union border mission EUBAM will supervise the process.

Further screening of people entering Gaza will occur inside the Strip in an area under Israeli army control.

Rafah had only just reopened for passenger movement on February 2. Israeli forces had seized control of it nearly two years earlier during the war with Hamas.

The Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel reopened on March 3 for humanitarian aid. It was also closed after the Iran war began on February 28.

Reopening Rafah has been a key demand from rights groups, the UN and Hamas to facilitate aid into the devastated territory. The crossing is often described as Gaza’s “lifeline”.

It now lies in an area held by Israeli forces following their withdrawal behind a US-brokered ceasefire line. For years, it was the main exit point for Gazans authorised to leave the Israeli-blockaded strip.

The Israeli army took control of the Palestinian side in May 2024, claiming it was “used for terrorist purposes”. It briefly reopened for medical evacuations during a short ceasefire in January last year.

 The Sun Malaysia