RAFAH, (Palestinian Territories): Israel partially reopened the Rafah crossing between the devastated Gaza Strip and Egypt on Sunday, following months of appeals from aid groups, though access is limited to pedestrians.

COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body coordinating Palestinian civilian affairs, made no mention of allowing in a long hoped-for surge of aid, and clarified that the passage of individuals through the gateway in both directions was expected to begin Monday.

Rafah is considered a key entry point for supplies into the devastated Palestinian territory, where humanitarian conditions remain dire after two years of war in spite of a ceasefire in place since October 10. The crossing has been closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024 during the war with Hamas, aside from a brief and limited reopening in early 2025.

COGAT said on Sunday that the “Rafah Crossing was opened today for the limited passage of residents only”, but later added that the “movement of residents in both directions, entry and exit to and from Gaza, is expected to begin tomorrow”.

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

AFP footage showed a queue of ambulances entering the crossing from the Egyptian side, though sources said none had been allowed into Gaza yet.

“The opening of Rafah opens a small door of hope for patients, students and people in Gaza,” Amin Al-Hilu, 53, who lives in a tent in the territory’s Al-Shati camp, told AFP. “We need the crossing to fully open for travel and bringing in goods without Israeli restrictions, and this I think will require major pressure on Israel.” A Palestinian official told AFP on condition of anonymity that a group of “around 40 Palestinians affiliated with the Palestinian Authority has arrived on the Egyptian side of the crossing” and was also waiting to be allowed in.—AFP